Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is enjoying a stellar run in the Indian Premier League 2026, not just with his leadership but also with his consistent batting form and tactical sharpness on the field.
Under his captaincy, Punjab Kings have emerged as the only unbeaten side in the tournament so far, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with nine points from five matches. Iyer had earlier led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 before moving to Punjab Kings, where he guided the team to the final in the 2025 season.
A Surprising Captaincy Choice
In a recent interview on Star Sports, Iyer was asked which captain he would like to learn leadership from. In a surprising response, he chose Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, overlooking established leaders like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
His choice caught attention across the cricketing world, given Dhoni and Rohit’s legacy as two of India’s most successful captains. However, Iyer’s admiration for Patidar highlights his focus on learning from evolving leadership styles in modern cricket.
Dominant Show Against Mumbai Indians
Iyer’s leadership once again came to the fore during Punjab Kings’ dominant seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on Thursday, April 16.
Mumbai Indians posted a strong total of 195/6, powered by a superb unbeaten 112 from Quinton de Kock and a half-century from Naman Dhir. Their 132-run stand for the third wicket gave MI a solid platform, but the total ultimately proved insufficient on a flat pitch.
Punjab’s Batting Firepower
Chasing 196, Punjab Kings responded with an explosive batting display. Prabhsimran Singh smashed an unbeaten 80 off just 31 balls, while Iyer continued his red-hot form with a fluent 66 off 35 deliveries—his third consecutive half-century of the season.
The duo added 139 runs for the third wicket, completely dismantling the Mumbai bowling attack. Punjab chased down the target in just 16.3 overs, finishing at 198/3 with 21 balls to spare.
MI Struggles Continue
For Mumbai Indians, it was another disappointing outing as they suffered their fourth straight defeat in IPL 2026. Their bowling unit failed to defend a competitive total, with only Allah Ghazanfar showing some control, finishing with figures of 2/31.
PBKS on Top Form
With this victory, Punjab Kings extended their unbeaten streak and further strengthened their position at the top of the table. Iyer’s calm leadership, combined with aggressive batting performances, continues to be the driving force behind their successful campaign.
As the season progresses, all eyes remain on Iyer—not just for his captaincy on the field, but also for the unconventional inspirations shaping his leadership journey.
