Shreyas Iyer's Leadership Shines in Punjab Kings' Record Chase Against SRH
Ashwin Praises Iyer's Composure and Tactical Acumen
In a recent statement, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his admiration for Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS). He described Iyer as 'unflappable,' emphasizing his remarkable calmness and strategic insight during intense run chases.
Ashwin took to social media to commend Iyer's skill in assessing match situations, guiding his teammates, and maintaining composure under pressure, labeling his overall performance as 'Top Class.'
He noted, 'Currently, Shreyas Iyer appears unflappable. His knack for predicting a chase, directing his partner, and making wise shot selections against favored bowlers are qualities that few cricketers possess today.'
Furthermore, Ashwin remarked that while modern cricket showcases numerous explosive batsmen capable of thrilling innings, few can match Iyer's blend of temperament, situational awareness, and controlled aggression.
'We have many players who can dazzle with their shot-making, but not many like Shreyas. Top Class,' he concluded.
Punjab Kings Achieve Historic Chase Against Sunrisers Hyderabad
At the moment Shreyas Iyer looks unflappable.
His ability to forecast a chase, guide his partner, staying unruffled amidst pressure and shot selection against a bowler he fancies at the right moment are attributes that not many cricketers can boast of at this point of time.
We… pic.twitter.com/zrwhNOurUa
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) April 11, 2026
In a thrilling match at Mullanpur, Punjab Kings executed a record chase, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets. They successfully chased down a daunting target of 220 runs with seven balls remaining.
After being invited to bat, SRH set a formidable total of 219/6, thanks to a spectacular opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Sharma's explosive 74 runs off just 28 balls, featuring eight sixes and five fours, alongside Head's quickfire 38 off 23, propelled SRH to a commanding start.
Their partnership of 120 runs laid the groundwork for a powerful batting display, with SRH racing to 105 runs without loss in the first six overs. Sharma reached his half-century in a mere 18 balls, contributing to one of the most explosive powerplays in IPL history.
Despite losing both openers quickly to Shashank Singh, SRH maintained their momentum, reaching 132/2 at the halfway point and 176/3 after 15 overs. However, regular wickets in the final overs, including those of Ishan Kishan (27) and Heinrich Klaasen (39), hindered their progress towards a 230-run total.
For PBKS, Shashank Singh (2/20) and Arshdeep Singh (2/50) were key wicket-takers, with Xavier Bartlett also contributing with one wicket.
In response, PBKS launched an aggressive chase, spearheaded by their top order's explosive batting. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh set the tone early, attacking the SRH bowlers relentlessly.
Priyansh scored a blistering 57 runs off 20 balls, while Prabhsimran added a rapid 51 off 25, propelling PBKS to 93 runs without loss in the powerplay and surpassing 100 runs in just 6.3 overs.
Although SRH managed to take quick wickets through Shivang Kumar, dismissing both openers and later Cooper Connolly, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings effectively. Iyer's unbeaten 69 runs off 33 balls, combined with Nehal Wadhera, helped stabilize the innings before accelerating towards victory.
Iyer's innings, featuring five fours and five sixes, ensured that PBKS stayed ahead throughout the chase. He finished the match alongside Shashank Singh, leading PBKS to a total of 223/4 in 18.5 overs.
For SRH, Shivang Kumar was notable with figures of 3/33, but their bowling struggled to contain the explosive PBKS batting lineup, particularly during the powerplay and death overs, which ultimately determined the outcome of the match.
With this win, Punjab Kings marked their 10th successful chase of 200-plus targets in IPL history, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most formidable chasing teams in the tournament.