Shreyas Iyer: A Rising Star in IPL Leadership

Aakash Chopra discusses Shreyas Iyer's leadership in the IPL, highlighting the unique challenges he faced compared to other great captains like Kohli and Dhoni. Iyer's journey with the Punjab Kings and his previous success with KKR are examined, along with the influence of Gautam Gambhir on his leadership style. As Iyer prepares for the IPL 2026 season, he aims to build on last year's impressive performance. This article delves into the dynamics of IPL leadership and Iyer's rising status in the cricketing world.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 21:39 IST

Aakash Chopra's Insights on Shreyas Iyer

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has put forth a compelling argument regarding Shreyas Iyer's leadership of the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He emphasized the distinctive challenges Iyer encountered during his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Chopra noted that legendary IPL captains like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni never faced a scenario quite like Iyer's, which further enhances his reputation as a remarkable captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under Iyer's guidance, KKR clinched their third IPL title in 2024, and he played a pivotal role in leading both the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively.

The Gambhir Influence on Iyer's Leadership

Chopra elaborated on the influence of Gautam Gambhir, a highly successful player and coach in the IPL, who was a significant presence in the KKR dressing room. This dynamic may have somewhat overshadowed Iyer's contributions as a leader. Chopra remarked, “I believe that Iyer's leadership role was somewhat diminished in the narrative shaped by those outside the team. At KKR, he was part of a setup where the coach was a prominent figure, unlike the situations faced by MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, or Virat Kohli, who did not have such a dominant personality influencing their leadership.”

Comparing Leadership Experiences

Chopra further reinforced his viewpoint by contrasting Iyer's experience with that of Kohli, Rohit, and Dhoni, who had already established themselves as successful leaders with extensive experience captaining the national team. Iyer, lacking this background, faced additional challenges. He pointed out that while credit is often readily given to established stars of Indian cricket, Iyer's lack of national captaincy may have complicated his journey, despite his strong performance as a leader. “Gautam Gambhir was a successful player and an excellent mentor. In contrast, MS, Rohit, and Kohli have been long-standing and successful India captains, receiving accolades easily. Iyer, however, is now earning recognition for his impressive performance,” Chopra added.

Looking Ahead to IPL 2026

Iyer is set to continue his role as captain of the Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, aiming to replicate last year's success. The Punjab Kings finished at the top of the points table and were runners-up, narrowly missing out to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who secured their first IPL title. The Punjab Kings will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against the Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.