Shreyas Iyer has silenced his critics in style. The right-handed batter, once sidelined by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has now scripted history by leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the IPL playoffs for the first time in 11 years. Under his captaincy, PBKS have not only qualified but also secured a top-two finish, giving them two chances to reach the final.
Uthappa Says Shreyas Was Undervalued at KKR
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes Iyer didn’t get the credit he deserved at KKR, despite leading the team to an IPL title in 2024.
“You always sensed he felt underappreciated at KKR despite adding value there,” Uthappa said on JioStar.
Iyer wasn’t retained by KKR and went into the IPL 2025 mega auction, where PBKS bought him for INR 26.75 crore. Since then, he has been a transformational figure for the Punjab franchise.
“He moved to a franchise where not much had been achieved historically — and went on to win it for them. That says a lot about his leadership,” Uthappa added.
Shreyas Iyer’s Strong Batting Form in IPL 2025
Shreyas has not only excelled as a captain but also with the bat. He has scored 514 runs in 14 matches at an average of 51.40 and a striking strike rate of 171.91, placing him among the top performers of the season.
His aggressive yet composed leadership has instilled a winning mentality in the Punjab camp, and their playoff qualification is a testament to that.
PBKS Beat MI and Look Ahead to Qualifier 1
In their last league match, PBKS comfortably chased down 185 against Mumbai Indians, winning with 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
Uthappa noted that MI’s total wasn’t challenging enough and credited PBKS for gaining momentum at the perfect time.
“Punjab started strong, lost steam, but regained momentum just before playoffs,” he said.
PBKS will now play Qualifier 1 on May 29 in Mullanpur, while Mumbai Indians face RCB or Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator on May 30.
With Shreyas Iyer in red-hot form and leadership clicking, Punjab Kings could finally be staring at their first-ever IPL title.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!