Shreyas Iyer said he feels settled at Punjab Kings after the TATA IPL 2025, where his team fell short in the final. Speaking on JioStar's 'Believe', he spoke about his 'Sarpanch' tag, leadership plans for TATA IPL 2026, and key games against GT and KKR.
Iyer said the 'Sarpanch' title confused him at first. Teammates later explained it meant head of a family, group, or district. He said that clarity helped shape his journey with Punjab Kings and guided how he sees his role as captain.
Looking at TATA IPL 2026, Iyer said the mission is to lift the trophy. He stressed staying in the present and giving full effort. He tells teammates to play for themselves, improve daily, and trust synergy when plans and performances come together.
Iyer recalled missing
a maiden TATA IPL century on PBKS debut against GT in 2025. With 10 balls left, he told Shashank to play freely and ignore his hundred. Shashank faced the entire last over, PBKS reached 240, and Iyer felt that score set the season rhythm.
He highlighted Arshdeep Singh's input to use Vijaykumar Vyshak as an impact player. Iyer said players' instincts matter on the field. They planned wide yorkers to Sherfane Rutherford, who was attacking everything else. The tactic worked, and Vyshak became the hero in that match.
On defending 111 against KKR in TATA IPL 2025, when they were 62/2, Iyer used close-in fielders to build pressure. He made the fields more attacking for new batters. He praised bowlers' consistent lines and attacking mindset, and said he always urges them to fight till the last ball.
The episode 'Believe' featuring Shreyas Iyer airs on 18 April. It streams live and exclusively on JioHotstar and telecasts on Star Sports Network after the SRH vs CSK TATA IPL match, offering more details on his Punjab Kings journey and captaincy views.
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