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

Shreyas Iyer's Challenge Ahead of IPL 2026

New Chandigarh (Punjab) [India] - March 31: Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), is determined to turn around his disappointing performance at home from the previous season as he prepares for the IPL 2026 opener against Gujarat Titans (GT).

Last season, Iyer showcased his leadership skills and batting prowess, leading PBKS to their first final in a decade, just a year after securing Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) third title. However, his performance at the franchise's home ground in New Chandigarh was underwhelming.

In the last IPL season, Iyer 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, he excelled in away matches, amassing 577 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 82.42 and a strike rate exceeding 181, with all six of his fifties scored away from home.

Overall, Iyer concluded the previous season as the sixth-highest run-scorer, accumulating 604 runs in 17 innings, averaging 50.33 with a strike rate of 175.07, including six fifties and a top score of 97*.

Punjab Kings Squad: 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, Vishal Nishad.