Shreyas Iyer: Rising Star Among IPL Captains
Badrinath's Praise for Iyer
Subramaniam Badrinath, a former Indian cricketer and a prominent figure in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has expressed admiration for Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS). He regards Iyer as one of the top captains in the Indian Premier League (IPL), ranking him just behind legends like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. While acknowledging that it is premature to place Iyer alongside Dhoni and Rohit—who have each secured five IPL titles—Badrinath noted Iyer's impressive performance as a captain, having led teams to the finals three times: once with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), once with Delhi Capitals, and once with Punjab Kings.
What Sets Iyer Apart?
Badrinath commented on his YouTube channel, stating, "It's still early to compare him with iconic leaders like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who are in a league of their own. They have five titles each, while Shreyas has only one with KKR. However, he is certainly among the best. If I were to rank IPL captains, I would place him right after Dhoni, Rohit, and Gambhir." Leading an IPL team is a complex task, as captains must manage players from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The immense pressure to win, especially with high-profile players, can be daunting, but Badrinath believes Iyer has navigated these challenges exceptionally well.
Performance of IPL Captains (2008–2025)
| Player (Team) | Span | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | NR | W/L Ratio | Win % | Loss % | Overall % |
| MS Dhoni (CSK/RPS) | 2008–2025 | 235 | 136 | 97 | 0 | 2 | 1.4 | 57.87% | 41.27% | 58.36% |
| Rohit Sharma (MI) | 2013–2023 | 158 | 87 | 67 | 4 | 0 | 1.29 | 55.06% | 42.40% | 56.32% |
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 2011–2023 | 143 | 66 | 70 | 3 | 4 | 0.94 | 46.15% | 48.95% | 48.56% |
| Gautam Gambhir (DC/KKR) | 2009–2018 | 129 | 71 | 57 | 1 | 0 | 1.24 | 55.03% | 44.18% | 55.42% |
| Shreyas Iyer (DC/KKR/PBKS) | 2018–2025 | 87 | 48 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 1.37 | 55.17% | 40.22% | 57.64% |
Badrinath elaborated, "Captaining in the IPL is challenging. You have players from Australia like Ricky Ponting on one side and Indian players on the other. You also have to manage team dynamics and respond to questions from team management, including Preity Zinta. Handling all these aspects as a young captain is something Shreyas does exceptionally well." He described Iyer as a leader who resonates with fans, emphasizing his batting contributions that led PBKS to the IPL 2025 finals. Badrinath suggested that IPL 2026 could be a pivotal season for Iyer, potentially aiding his return to the Indian T20I squad.
Potential for T20I Comeback in IPL 2026
Badrinath remarked, "PBKS is a favorite among Indian fans due to their support for young talent. Shreyas Iyer is seen as a people's leader. He had a stellar season last year, scoring 604 runs and playing a crucial role in PBKS's runner-up finish. This upcoming season will be vital for him to secure a spot in the Indian T20I team." Iyer has captained 87 IPL matches across his tenures with Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and now Punjab Kings. While MS Dhoni holds the record for the most matches as captain at 235, Iyer boasts an impressive overall efficiency of 57.64%, ranking him among the elite alongside Rohit, Kohli, and Gambhir. Rohit has led 158 matches, Kohli 143, and Gambhir 129.
The IPL 2026 season is set to commence with the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28, 2026, at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Last season, RCB triumphed in the final against PBKS, marking their first title win since the league's inception, with PBKS finishing atop the points table.