In the last two years, Shreyas Iyer has seen it all. A very good 2023 World Cup was followed by a strange fallout that saw him lose out on his central contract. He was penalised for not playing one Ranji Trophy game. Others got away not playing any. Injuries did not help and Iyer lost his way a bit.
Thereafter, he came back to win the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders, but wasn’t given his due. With Gautam Gambhir in the change room, Iyer was always the support cast. He wasn’t retained by KKR and things weren’t altogether pleasant with the franchise. But with Iyer, the one thing that stands out is his resolve. Every adversity made him stronger and he is now two matches away from winning back-to-back IPL titles as skipper with two different franchises.
This extreme self-assurance, mistaken for arrogance by some, is the key to understanding the player leading the Punjab Kings. He knows and understands where a match can be and that’s what defines his captaincy. Most importantly, he is at peace with himself as captain and that explains his results in the IPL. Even with Delhi Capitals, he had made a mark as a young leader. The Iyer story, despite making two successive playoffs, isn’t complete yet. It will be, if he wins a maiden title for Punjab and makes a statement.
Knowing him, he must be itching, getting ready for his opportunity to step out for Punjab on their home ground and seize the very first chance that comes their way to make the final. With Ricky Ponting to help as head coach, it is a partnership that could well transform Punjab’s fortunes. They are mighty close now. With youngsters like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh doing the job at the top and with Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh playing a superb hand in the middle, Iyer has support. He knows that the team isn’t dependant on him and that should make the job easier for him.
And if you are a KKR fan, it is a night of introspection. Of what could have been, had Shreyas Iyer been retained and if he was still the captain.