Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings to the final of the Indian Premier League 2025. His captaincy was lauded by everyone as he he also led the batting charts for his franchise.

“At the moment, he’s only playing ODIs, but after this IPL, it will be hard to exclude him from T20 internationals and even Tests. Additionally, he’s now officially a contender for the white-ball captaincy,” the official told The Indian Express, indicating that Iyer’s performances this season have led to significant reconsideration within the national team setup.

Suryakumar Yadav is Team India’s captain in T20Is. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma continues to lead the national team in one-day internationals.

Iyer was without a central contract, excluded from the Test and T20I squads, and surprisingly released by Kolkata Knight Riders after leading them to the IPL title in 2024. Concerns about his fitness, form, and mental resilience had pushed him out of contention. Despite this, Iyer kept performing in domestic cricket with Mumbai, even leading the team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Punjab Kings bought him for INR 26.75 crore. Iyer showcased exceptional leadership. He not only regained his form with the bat but also developed a strong bond with his teammates and the fanbase, who affectionately dubbed him “Sarpanch Sahab” for his calm approach.

The moment that solidified his position came during the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians. With the chase faltering and Jasprit Bumrah at his fiery best, Iyer launched a counterattack. He effortlessly dispatched Bumrah’s deliveries. Iyer scored an unbeaten 87 from 41 deliveries, leading PBKS to success.

Although Punjab did not lift the trophy, Iyer’s stature only grew.