{"id":3741,"date":"2026-04-19T09:22:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/ashwin-hails-shreyas-iyers-hot-form-as-he-thrives-as-pbks-captain"},"modified":"2026-04-19T09:22:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:22:54","slug":"ashwin-hails-shreyas-iyers-hot-form-as-he-thrives-as-pbks-captain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/ashwin-hails-shreyas-iyers-hot-form-as-he-thrives-as-pbks-captain","title":{"rendered":"Ashwin Hails Shreyas Iyer\u2019s Hot Form as He Thrives as PBKS Captain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lavished praise on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, arguing that the right-hander has transformed into a leader players genuinely trust over the last couple of years. Ashwin credits Iyer\u2019s steady improvement with the bat, along with the way he conducts himself as skipper, for the momentum Punjab have built.<\/p>\n

Iyer\u2019s rise as a trusted captain<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Ashwin believes Iyer\u2019s biggest contribution as captain is the atmosphere he has created around the group\u2014one where conversations feel natural and supportive rather than hierarchical.<\/li>\n
  2. He points to Iyer\u2019s growth not only as a batter but also as someone the dressing room looks up to, helped by reliable performances under pressure.<\/li>\n
  3. Ashwin highlights that Iyer\u2019s influence became especially visible last season, when Punjab Kings reached their first IPL final in 11 years.<\/li>\n
  4. That breakthrough run was boosted by Iyer\u2019s defining knock of 87 not out off 41 balls against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, a chase that kept Punjab on track for the big moment.<\/li>\n
  5. Ashwin notes that the result delivered Punjab\u2019s first-ever successful 200-plus chase against Mumbai in IPL history.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Building on that springboard, Iyer has carried the same intensity into the current IPL season. Punjab Kings have won four of their five matches so far, with one game washed out, and they sit top of the IPL 2026 points table.<\/p>\n

    Runs, strike rate and the leadership impact<\/h2>\n

    Ashwin also linked Iyer\u2019s captaincy to his batting rhythm. In the present campaign, the right-hander has amassed 203 runs in five matches, striking at 187.96. His recent form includes innings of 50, 69 not out and 66 across his last three knocks.<\/p>\n

    According to Ashwin, Iyer\u2019s growing reputation at the crease is beginning to weigh on opposing bowlers. He suggested that simply being set creates fear, and that Iyer\u2019s drive to keep improving is a major reason behind that effect.<\/p>\n

    Ashwin praised Iyer\u2019s willingness to work on areas where he might be weaker, saying that many players stick to what they already do well, while Iyer has shown a sharper appetite to develop further.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBrotherhood\u201d culture inside the Punjab set-up<\/h3>\n

    On Iyer\u2019s leadership style, Ashwin described how the skipper makes the team feel comfortable speaking freely and operating as a close unit. He said the captain encourages a brotherly, simple way of engaging\u2014similar to how friends or teammates communicate in everyday settings\u2014which helps players feel at ease both on and off the field.<\/p>\n

    In Ashwin\u2019s view, that atmosphere, combined with Iyer\u2019s batting acceleration, forms a \u201clethal combination\u201d that not only strengthens the team\u2019s unity but also supports consistent execution during matches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lavished praise on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, arguing that the right-hander has transformed into a leader players genuinely…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Ashwin Praises Shreyas Iyer\u2019s IPL Form as PBKS Captain","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ravichandran Ashwin heaps praise on PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, calling his leadership and hot IPL form a game-changer for the franchise.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nAshwin Praises Shreyas Iyer\u2019s IPL Form as PBKS Captain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ravichandran Ashwin heaps praise on PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, calling his leadership and hot IPL form a game-changer 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