NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer says the relentless backlash he faced over his struggles against short-pitched bowling has directly shaped a major change in how he bats in IPL 2026. In interviews, the 31-year-old admitted that repeated questions about his ability to deal with the short ball acted as the spark for a fresh mindset and a more targeted preparation routine.
Key takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer credits criticism about his short-ball issue as the trigger for a revamped batting approach in IPL 2026.
- He says his current intent is more aggressive when a short-pitched delivery comes into his hitting zone.
- Punjab’s improved control, including better execution against pace, has helped power an unbeaten run.
- The team made IPL history by chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, marking the highest successful chase in T20.
- Iyer highlighted net work—around 50 overs and 300+ balls—plus facing real bowlers as key to the transformation.
- He stressed mental resilience and pointed to support from mentors such as Pravin Amre and Abhishek Nayar.
Criticism becomes motivation
Speaking on JioStar, Iyer explained that doubts around his short-ball batting “triggered” the shift. He acknowledged that people had written off his chances of fixing the problem, and that made him even more determined to respond with performances. “People said I would never fix my short-ball problem. That triggered me,” he said. “I wanted to prove them wrong by performing well. So, I worked hard on it.”
From there, he described how his approach to short-pitched bowling has been completely reworked. Earlier, he said he would either play for a single or try to keep the ball under control and away from danger. Now, his mindset is different: if he spots a short ball in his area, he is looking to strike decisively. “Earlier, I would just take a single or try to keep the ball down. But now my mindset has changed,” Iyer said. “If I see a short ball in my zone, I am going to hit it for a six.”
Punjab’s unbeaten run and a record chase
Iyer’s evolution has shown up in Punjab Kings’ form during the season. The skipper linked the team’s success to sharper execution, especially his ability to manage pace more effectively and keep control of the ball. With that improvement, the franchise has sustained a run of unbeaten results.
Punjab recently scripted a standout moment by chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The chase is recorded as the highest successful target in T20 history, underscoring how the side has been able to convert pressure into momentum—an aspect Iyer’s renewed intent has helped support.
Net routine, real bowlers and mental reset
While Iyer acknowledged the role of coaching and mentorship, he insisted that the biggest gains came from consistent work in the nets. He credited mentors including Pravin Amre and Abhishek Nayar for helping refine his technique, but added that practice time and a deliberate mindset reset made the difference. “During my batting practice, I try to play around 50 overs and face over 300 balls. That helps me understand what works for me,” he said.
He also explained why facing actual bowlers—rather than depending only on throwdowns—has sharpened his decision-making. In his view, confronting different deliveries with a live bowling rhythm makes his movement clearer and more repeatable. “The more I face bowlers, the clearer my movement becomes. I focus on creating a rhythm,” Iyer added.
Iyer drew inspiration from batting greats such as AB de Villiers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, emphasising the importance of balance and timing. He said he tries to get set quickly just before the bowler delivers, which helps him flow into the shot. “Just before the bowler delivers, I try to get into my position quickly. That creates a flow,” he noted.
Proving doubters wrong
Beyond technical adjustments, Iyer pointed to mental resilience as a central ingredient in his comeback. He said that hearing negative opinions does not sit well with him, and that he chooses to channel those comments into determination. “I have people around me who say you can’t do it. I don’t like hearing that… I decide that I have to prove them wrong,” he said.
Reflecting on his return from injury, he described how mindset shaping helped him challenge the narrative that he would not return to his best. “Some people said I would never be the same again. I asked myself, why can’t I be? The way you shape your mindset is important,” Iyer said.
