Punjab Kings\u2019 momentum under Shreyas Iyer has brought fresh intrigue to one of the IPL\u2019s more unconventional captaincy journeys. Even with some recent setbacks, the franchise\u2014still searching for its inaugural title after 19 seasons\u2014has managed to stay within reach of the upper end of the points table as the tournament edges toward the playoff phase. In that context, Iyer\u2019s role as both strategist and leader has quickly become one of the season\u2019s most discussed storylines.<\/p>\n
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has placed Iyer at the very top tier of IPL captains, pointing to the distinct nature of his record across multiple franchises. Speaking on JioStar\u2019s \u201cOut or Not\u201d segment, Pathan highlighted that Iyer\u2019s ability to steer different teams toward title contention sets him apart from the commonly cited captaining benchmarks.<\/p>\n
Pathan says Iyer belongs with IPL\u2019s elite captains<\/p>\n
\u201cOn that list of MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, I feel Shreyas Iyer has to be right up there among the best Captains,\u201d Pathan said.<\/p>\n
Pathan\u2019s praise is rooted in the specific pattern of Iyer\u2019s IPL captaincy journey. He first guided Delhi Capitals to their maiden final in 2020. After that, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title. More recently, he has helped reshape Punjab Kings into a side that looks like a genuine contender. Punjab made it to the final last season and have again remained in the upper bracket this year, with Iyer playing a central part as both a batter and the captain.<\/p>\n
Pathan\u2019s argument revolves around adaptability. Dhoni built his captaincy reputation largely with Chennai Super Kings. Rohit Sharma\u2019s trophy moments arrived with Mumbai Indians. Gambhir delivered his two IPL titles as captain with Kolkata Knight Riders. For Pathan, Iyer\u2019s case is different because his leadership impact has been carried across separate settings\u2014varying support systems, shifting team dynamics, and changes in the dressing-room culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not easy to take three different franchises to the finals. Each franchise is different, their culture, setup and their mindset is completely different,\u201d Pathan added.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo adjust to those things and then lead the way forward is not easy. No one has ever done it. MS Dhoni won all five trophies with CSK, and it is not that he has not played for any other franchise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Punjab angle also gives Pathan\u2019s point extra sharpness. PBKS have often been linked with instability, repeated resets, and missed chances over the years. Iyer\u2019s arrival has coincided with a more settled competitive identity, and the captaincy debate has gained momentum alongside Punjab\u2019s improved consistency. Pathan also noted that Iyer\u2019s personal batting form has complemented his leadership, with decisive contributions in high-pressure situations providing both momentum and direction.<\/p>\n
Pathan also framed the comparison by highlighting that Rohit and Gambhir built their captaincy reputations through success largely tied to one franchise environment. \u201cSimilarly, Rohit Sharma has won all his trophies as Captain with MI, and Gautam Gambhir did it for KKR in those two seasons,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That is why Pathan believes another championship would meaningfully shift Iyer\u2019s position in the IPL captaincy conversation. A Punjab title would end the franchise\u2019s long wait, but it would also cement Iyer as a captain who has lifted the tournament with two different teams\u2014after already taking three separate franchises to the final.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut here you have Shreyas Iyer, who has taken three franchises to the final and won it with KKR. One more trophy; if he wins it with Punjab, he will surpass everyone,\u201d Pathan said.<\/p>\n
For Punjab, the mission remains incomplete. For Iyer, the scope of the opportunity extends beyond a single season. A maiden PBKS title would place him in a rare IPL category\u2014both as a captain who has delivered success and as one whose leadership journey has moved across teams while still producing results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Punjab Kings\u2019 momentum under Shreyas Iyer has brought fresh intrigue to one of the IPL\u2019s more unconventional captaincy journeys. Even with some recent setbacks, the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Shreyas Iyer Captaincy Boosts PBKS in IPL 2026 Playoffs Race","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Shreyas Iyer\u2019s captaincy is lifting PBKS in the IPL playoffs race\u2014can Punjab turn momentum into results as the points race heats up?","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n