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- Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings to the final in IPL 2025 and aims to win the trophy in 2026.
- Last season, Iyer scored 604 runs in 17 innings, in which his average was 50.33 and strike rate was 175.07.
- Irfan Pathan described Iyer as a “proven cricketer” and his IPL performances were crucial for his return to the Indian team.
Shreyas Iyer: Punjab Kings’ hopes in IPL 2026
New Delhi. Shreyas Iyer is once again becoming the center of discussion in the **Indian Premier League** (IPL). This time instead of his form, his leadership abilities and consistency are being talked about. Former player Irfan Pathan has expressed hope that Iyer will give an excellent performance for Punjab Kings in the upcoming season. After leading the team to the final in IPL 2025, Iyer aims to win the trophy in 2026.
Great performance last season
Shreyas Iyer’s performance last season was quite impressive. He scored **604 runs** in 17 innings, with an average of 50.33 and strike rate of 175.07. Iyer remained the team’s top batsman with six half-centuries and was the sixth highest run-scorer in the entire tournament. His captaincy gave a new identity to Punjab Kings, which was earlier known for its instability.
Irfan Pathan’s comment
Irfan Pathan called Iyer a “proven cricketer” and said that he does not need any platform in the IPL to make a comeback in the T20 International team. According to Pathan, Iyer has already proved his abilities for the Indian team, especially in ODI cricket. He believes that Iyer’s performance in the IPL will further strengthen his quality.
mention of special innings
Pathan made special mention of Iyer’s inning of 87*, which changed the course of the match in 41 balls while chasing the target of 204 runs against **Mumbai Indians**. His confidence and technique against a world-class bowler like Jasprit Bumrah in that innings was remarkable. Bumrah’s yorker shot towards third man is still fresh in the minds of cricket lovers.
Start of IPL 2026
IPL 2026 is going to start from March 21 for Punjab Kings against **Gujarat Titans**. The team and their fans hope that Iyer will be successful in winning the trophy this time by maintaining his last season’s form. The special thing is that Iyer has already won a trophy for a team as captain in 2024, which further strengthens the faith in his leadership.
Expectations for next season
Overall, Shreyas Iyer is becoming an important player not only for Punjab Kings but also for the future of Indian cricket. The trust that an experienced cricketer like Irfan Pathan has in him shows that the coming season can prove to be even more special for Iyer.
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