The Indian Premier League Has a Shreyas Iyer Problem

Shreyas Iyer is smashing runs for fun and is leading PBKS from the Front

Shreyas Iyer suffered a ruptured spleen while attempting a difficult catch six months. Though he managed to complete it and get rid of the dangerous Alex Carey, the injury sidelined him for nearly two months. Fortunately, the damage wasn’t severe, allowing him to return in time for the ODI series against New Zealand in January. Iyer could only muster scores of 49, 8, and 3 against the Kiwis, but he has used IPL 2026 to firmly reassert his credentials.

With India on the lookout for their next T20I captain, his resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time. Knock after knock, 50, 69*, and 66 in his last three innings, has powered him to a blazing start this season, guiding Punjab Kings to the top of the points table.

He's been a leader, a phenomenal batter and the results are there for everyone to see. Iyer helped KKR to an IPL title in 2024 and was released by the franchise only for the Punjab Kings to pounce on him for a staggering 26.4 crore rupees at the auctions. The move has worked and how. Punjab made it to the finals of the tournament after a decade, last year and this season they are the side to beat. They are unbeaten in the IPL 2026 so far and Shreyas Iyer deserves a lot of credit for this.

THE FINISHER

Since 2025, Iyer has amassed 807 runs for Punjab Kings at a staggering average of 53.8 and a strike-rate of 178.14. In chases, his numbers make you question - 'Is Iyer the new chase master?'.

For batters with more than 300 runs in chases since 2025, Iyer has the second best strike-rate. The right-hander has a staggering strike-rate of 181.02 and averages 65.42. Talk about taking attacks on and doing it consistently. The PBKS skipper stepped out to chase 11 times since 2025 and he's scored six fifties. And Punjab have gone on to win 9 of those matches. Too less of a sample size perhaps, but he's setting the tone.

WHAT HIS KNOCK AGAINST MI TELLS US

Iyer came out to bat after the Cooper Connolly dismissal and when the score read 45/2 after 4.3 overs. Allah Ghanzafar managed to get a nick off Connolly and Quinton de Kock did the rest. Iyer stepped in and played a magnificent cover drive. Intent and class. From the very first delivery. That's been his hallmark this season and you can sense the calmness he brings. Doesn't look too fuzzed and almost effortlessly scores at an impressive pace.

Iyer was 21 off 18 with Prabhsimran Singh smashing the leather off the ball at the other end. And then, he hit that pull shot of Jasprit Bumrah. Iyer got into position quickly and threw his hands, hips at it. Looked easy on the eyes but the ball traveled a mile. It's not easy to dispatch a Bumrah short-delivery. A certain Ricky Ponting would have been extremely proud of it. Iyer ended up scoring 23 (10) against Bumrah, probably the only batter who can take the MI pacer on with such conviction.

Shardul Thakur was running in for the 16th over, Iyer was dropped of the first delivery and then came the shot that defines Iyer's new avatar. Thakur bowled one in the slot, Iyer swung through the line with a strong base and the ball landed in the second tier. The flow of that shot would put a rapper to shame. That's how good that was. The IPL has a Shreyas Iyer problem and if you're a PBKS fan or a neutral, you'll not be complaining.

Shreyas Iyer scores in IPL 2026

18(11) vs GT

50(29) vs CSK

69*(33) vs SRH

66(35) vs MI The world wants to know how Iyer is doing this with such ease and tranquility. Harsha Bhogle summed it up brilliantly. "If there is one player I would love to interview right now, it's Shreyas Iyer", he said. The PBKS unit looks confident on the field, they look like a unit that wants to win the title and Iyer is at the fore front.