Irfan Pathan Optimistic About Shreyas Iyer's Performance in IPL 2026
Pathan's Confidence in Iyer's Leadership
Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, has expressed his belief that Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), can replicate his impressive form from the previous season. Pathan emphasized that Iyer is a 'proven cricketer' who does not need to rely on the Indian Premier League (IPL) to secure his place in the T20I squad.
The Punjab Kings, who were runners-up last season, are set to kick off their IPL journey against the 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, on March 31 in New Chandigarh. Following a successful previous season, expectations are high for the team, especially with Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting at the helm. Last year, Iyer emerged as the top scorer for his team, amassing 604 runs in 17 innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, including six half-centuries.
Iyer's Impressive T20I Record
Having led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL victory in 2024 and guiding PBKS to the finals last year, Iyer is just one stellar season away from potentially rejoining the Indian T20I squad. In his T20I career, he has scored 1,104 runs in 51 matches at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12, with eight fifties and a top score of 74*. His last appearance for India in this format was in December 2023 against Australia, where he scored 53 runs off 37 balls in Bengaluru.
Pathan Praises Iyer's Growth
During a discussion on JioHotstar's 'Game Plan - Know Your Team', Irfan Pathan highlighted Iyer's significant improvement, stating, "I am not sure that Shreyas Iyer would be thinking of using the IPL as a stage to prove himself for a comeback into the T20I side. He has done exceptionally well in T20 cricket for Punjab Kings and for Team India. I believe there is a spot for him in the T20 setup for Team India, and he knows that." Pathan recalled Iyer's remarkable performance against Mumbai, where he scored 87* off 41 balls while chasing 204 runs, showcasing his ability to handle pressure.
PBKS Squad Analysis
Pathan, who played for PBKS in the initial seasons of the IPL, remarked that the team appears 'pretty much sorted'. He noted the strong performances of openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, both of whom had impressive seasons in 2025. The middle order also looks robust with the inclusion of uncapped Indian talents and Australian players.
He expressed particular enthusiasm for the pace attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen, supported by backups like Azmatullah Omarzai and others. Pathan stated, "With Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, and Priyansh Arya, the top order is sorted. The finishing ability of Marcus Stoinis will also be crucial. If Mitch Owen performs well, the selection of fast bowlers will be straightforward."
Punjab Kings Full Squad for IPL 2026
The complete squad for Punjab Kings includes: Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Cooper Connolly (Rs 3 Cr), Pravin Dubey (Rs 30 lakh), Vishal Nishad (Rs 30 lakh), Ben Dwarshuis (Rs 4.40 Cr).