Shreyas Iyer is reaching new heights as Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, becoming the only side to remain unbeaten in the first seven games, before facing two back-to-back defeats against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Gujarat Titans (GT). However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has showered praise on Iyer's leadership skills for guiding three different teams into the finals of IPL.
Irfan Pathan's big claim on Shreyas Iyer
Irfan Pathan claimed that Shreyas Iyer should be considered on the same list of legendary skippers like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, as it is not easy to lead three different franchises into the finals.
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“On that list of MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, I feel Shreyas Iyer has to be right up there among the best Captains. It is not easy to take three different franchises to the finals. Each franchise is different, their culture, setup and their mindset is completely different," said Irfan to JioHotstar.
The former India all-rounder compared Shreyas Iyer with MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, noting that Dhoni and Rohit won IPL titles with just one team each, while Iyer managed to reach finals with three different sides.
“To adjust to those things and then lead the way forward is not easy. No one has ever done it. MS Dhoni won all five trophies with CSK, and it is not that he has not played for any other franchise," added Pathan. Similarly, Rohit Sharma has won all his trophies as Captain with MI, and Gautam Gambhir did it for KKR in those two seasons," added Irfan.
“But here you have Shreyas Iyer, who has taken three franchises to the final and won it with KKR. One more trophy; if he wins it with Punjab, he will surpass everyone," concluded.
Shreyas Iyer's red hot form in IPL 2026
As a batter, Shreyas Iyer is going through a wonderful season with Punjab Kings, scoring 328 runs in nine games at an average of 54.67 with a strike rate of 165.66. The star India batter has managed to register four half-centuries in the tournament, with his best score of unbeaten 71 against Delhi Capitals (DC).