Shreyas Iyer Embraces 'Sarpanch' Nickname as Punjab Kings Captain
The Origin of 'Sarpanch' Nickname
Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer shared insights into the origin of his 'sarpanch' nickname within the team. Initially puzzled by the title, Iyer learned from his teammates that it signifies the leader of a family or community. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, Iyer transitioned to PBKS, where he was appointed captain. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding the team to their second final. Despite a loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer's aggressive approach received widespread acclaim.
“I love it. I was clueless at the start of my journey with Punjab Kings, how the ‘Sarpanch’ tag came up and what it meant,” Iyer remarked. “But later, when I asked a couple of my teammates, they explained that ‘Sarpanch’ means the head of a family, a group or even a district. That gave me clarity, and from there onwards, my journey started,” he added during an interview on Jiostar.
Iyer's Performance and Leadership
Iyer Justifies 'Sarpanch' Tag
The 'sarpanch' title suits Iyer well, as it was not randomly assigned but part of PBKS's branding efforts. The nickname has been actively promoted across social media and team advertisements. Iyer has proven his worth both as a batsman and captain. Last season, he led PBKS to the finals while being the team's top scorer, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches with an impressive average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. Continuing his form, he is currently the second-highest run-scorer for PBKS in IPL 2026, with 203 runs in five matches at an average of 67.67 and a strike rate of 187. His outstanding performance has propelled PBKS to the top of the points table, remaining undefeated so far in IPL 2026.
Iyer's Aspirations for IPL Success
Iyer Eyes IPL Title
Looking ahead, Iyer expressed his ambition to secure the IPL trophy for PBKS. However, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than getting ahead of himself. "The mission, obviously, is to lift the trophy. But I always feel that the more you stay in the present, the more you stay in control of what is in your hands at that moment, and you just have to go full throttle. You don't have to think too far ahead or dwell on the past. I reiterate the same point to my teammates as well, that when we are out there, we are playing for ourselves, not against the opponents. We just want to improve each day and make sure we put our best foot forward. When everything comes together and that synergy builds, everything falls into place," Iyer concluded.