Shreyas Iyer Aims for Redemption in IPL 2026 Opener Against Gujarat Titans

As the IPL 2026 season kicks off, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is determined to turn around his disappointing home performance from the previous season. After leading his team to the finals last year, Iyer's focus is on making a strong impact against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh. While he struggled at home, his away form was exceptional, making him one of the top run-scorers. With a strong squad backing him, Iyer is ready to reclaim his form and lead PBKS to victory.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 18:37 IST

Shreyas Iyer's Challenge in IPL 2026

Captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), Shreyas Iyer, is set to tackle his previous struggles at home as he prepares for the IPL 2026 season opener against Gujarat Titans (GT) in New Chandigarh.

Last season, Iyer showcased his leadership and batting skills, leading PBKS to their first final in a decade, just a year after he guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third title in ten years.

Home and Away Performance Discrepancies

Despite his leadership, Iyer's performance at the home ground in New Chandigarh was disappointing. He managed only 27 runs in five innings, averaging 5.40 with a strike rate of 100.00, and his highest score was just 10.

In stark contrast, Iyer excelled in away matches, amassing 577 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 82.42 and a strike rate exceeding 181. Notably, all six of his fifties came during away games. Overall, he concluded the last season as the sixth-highest run-scorer with 604 runs in 17 innings, averaging 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, including six fifties and a top score of 97*.

Punjab Kings Squad Overview

The Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2026 includes: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (w), Shreyas Iyer (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Ben Dwarshuis, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Lockie Ferguson, Vishnu Vinod, Praveen Dubey, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, and Vishal Nishad.