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The captain of the Punjab Kings
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India and Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, the second-highest bid in the player auction, has been named the captain of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025. The announcement was made on Sunday night during the reality TV show Big Boss, where Iyer appeared as a guest alongside PBKS teammates Yuzvendra Chahal and Shashank Singh.
“I am truly honoured that the team has placed its trust in me,” Iyer said in a statement. “I am excited to reunite with coach [Ricky] Ponting. The team has a strong combination of rising talent and experienced players, and I aim to justify the management’s faith by securing our first-ever title.”
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting praised Iyer’s leadership, saying, “Shreyas has an exceptional understanding of the game, and his proven track record as a captain will help the team succeed. Having worked with him in the IPL before, I’ve enjoyed our partnership and look forward to collaborating again. With his leadership and the squad’s talent, I am optimistic about the seasons ahead.”
Personal introduction
At 30 years old, Shreyas Iyer has already carved his name into the annals of IPL history as one of the elite eight captains to lead a team to an IPL title. This remarkable milestone was achieved just last year when he guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a championship victory during his tenure as captain from 2022 to 2024. Iyer’s leadership and tactical acumen have made him one of the most sought-after players in the league, as evidenced by the fierce bidding war during the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Punjab Kings (PBKS), entering the auction with the largest purse, went all out to secure Iyer’s services. Their determination was evident as they outbid Delhi Capitals (DC), another franchise in search of a new captain, to acquire Iyer for an astonishing INR 26.75 crore (approximately USD 3.18 million). For a brief moment, this record-setting bid made Iyer the most expensive player in IPL history. However, this title was short-lived as Lucknow Super Giants swooped in shortly after to purchase Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crore (USD 3.21 million), breaking the record and setting a new benchmark.
For Iyer, joining PBKS marks the third chapter in his IPL journey. His career began with Delhi Capitals, where he debuted in 2015. Midway through the 2018 season, the franchise recognized his potential and appointed him as captain, a role in which he excelled. Under his leadership, DC achieved consistent success, reaching the playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2020. Among these achievements, the highlight was a runners-up finish in the 2020 season, where Iyer’s captaincy and batting prowess stood out as key factors in the team’s performance.
Iyer’s impact extends beyond the IPL. This year, he showcased his leadership skills on the domestic stage by captaining Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His individual performance was equally impressive. In nine innings, he scored 345 runs, including a century, at a staggering strike rate of 188.52 and an average exceeding 49. This placed him as the tournament’s fourth-highest run-scorer, further cementing his reputation as a reliable and dynamic player.
With his extensive experience, proven leadership, and consistent performances, Iyer’s arrival at PBKS brings renewed hope for the franchise. The team will undoubtedly look to leverage his skills and championship-winning pedigree as they aim for their maiden IPL title. As one of the league’s brightest stars, Iyer’s journey with PBKS promises to be an exciting chapter in his already illustrious career.
Review
Shreyas Iyer is set to reunite with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has been appointed as the PBKS head coach on a four-year contract. The duo previously enjoyed a successful coach-captain partnership at DC, a dynamic that Ponting revealed played a significant role in PBKS’s determined bidding for Iyer at the auction.
Ponting strongly hinted at Iyer being made captain after the mega auction. Speaking to Star Sports, he said, “I wanted to work with Shreyas again. I’ve collaborated with him before, and he’s not only a fantastic player but also a great person. He would be an excellent leader for our team, and we are very likely to go in that direction. Plus, he was the championship-winning captain last year, which only adds to the reasons why bringing him to Punjab was the right choice.”
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