Mumbai: Punjab Kings have carried forward the momentum from last season’s runner-up finish in the Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, with captain Shreyas Iyer once again earning widespread praise for his leadership qualities.
Speaking on JioStar’s TATA IPL: Out or Not Out, former India cricketers Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan hailed Iyer’s captaincy, placing him among the league’s elite leaders while also discussing the contenders for the IPL 2026 title.
Raina said Iyer has consistently transformed every franchise he has represented by introducing a fearless and aggressive brand of cricket. Reflecting on his leadership journey with Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, Raina credited Iyer’s communication skills and confidence-building approach for the success of his teams.
According to Raina, Iyer’s calm yet commanding body language reminds him of former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, whose presence used to inspire confidence among teammates. He added that Punjab Kings’ attacking approach with both bat and ball reflects Iyer’s bold decision-making style as a leader.
Discussing the race for the IPL 2026 title, Raina backed defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru as strong favourites to retain the trophy. He praised captain Rajat Patidar for leading from the front and highlighted the team’s balanced batting and disciplined bowling performances.
Raina also identified Rajasthan Royals as an exciting side this season, pointing to the performances of young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fast bowler Jofra Archer, spinner Ravi Bishnoi and captain Riyan Parag. He added that Gujarat Titans are also peaking at the right time, with improved performances from Rashid Khan and skipper Shubman Gill.
Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan went a step further in his assessment of Shreyas Iyer’s leadership credentials. Comparing him with IPL-winning captains such as MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, Pathan said Iyer deserves to be mentioned alongside the very best.
Pathan noted that taking three different franchises to IPL finals is an unprecedented achievement, especially considering the varying cultures, setups and expectations of each team. He said adapting to those environments while consistently producing results reflects exceptional leadership ability.
“One more trophy; if he wins it with Punjab, he will surpass everyone,” Pathan remarked while discussing Iyer’s captaincy achievements on JioStar.
Pathan also backed Punjab Kings as one of the strongest contenders for a maiden IPL title this season. He praised the team’s balance, strong opening pair and overall bowling quality, while suggesting that greater bowling contributions from Cooper Connolly could further strengthen the side.
He also identified Delhi Capitals as another strong contender despite a narrow defeat to Gujarat Titans, adding that Punjab currently appear slightly ahead in the title race.
