Punjab Kings (PBKS) have had a major turnaround since appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain. The duo of Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting has produced results and helped them play their first Indian Premier League (IPL) final since 2014 edition. PBKS have started off on a good note in this year’s IPL with two consecutive wins. Ahead of their clash against an out-of-form Kolkata Knight Riders, pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak has lauded Iyer’s leadership skills. Vyshak said that Iyer will go on to captain India soon.
"I think he's someone who has always backed his bowlers and players. It doesn't matter if you've been doing well or not, that is something very important for a bowler," Vyshak answered India Today’s query during a roundtable press meeting. "He's done exceptionally well in this format and has been playing for India. I'm sure he'll be the Indian captain soon."
Vyshak in awe of Iyer’s communication with teammates
Vyshak has credit Iyer's quality of being approachable for any player in the squad. He reveals that the skipper's door is always open and there is uniformity in the way he interacts with everyone.
"He is someone who keeps the environment very light. He speaks to all the players in the same way, whether it is Ricky Ponting, me, or anybody else. That is something that has made us more comfortable. I can go and talk to him whenever. I mean, his door is always open. He doesn't lock his door," he explained.
Iyer in leadership group in ODI format
Last year, Iyer was appointed India’s ODI vice-captain, Shubman Gill’s deputy. Iyer would have got the opportunity to captain India against South Africa at home in Gill’s absence but he was out of action due to an injury as well.
Currently, the PBKS skipper is in the scheme of things for the ODI format only. He has taken a break from red-ball cricket due to his back issue whereas there is tough competition for a spot in T20Is despite his prowess in the format, especially against the spinners. In the previous game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he scored a half-century in the run chase.
In the previous season, he was PBKS' highest run-scorer. From 17 innings, he scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and strike rate of 175.07. He scored six fifties in the season.