Shreyas Iyer’s cool-headed rise puts him in line for India’s top job

Shreyas Iyer may have fallen just short of lifting the IPL 2025 trophy with Punjab Kings, but his leadership through the season has cemented his reputation as one of the most promising captains in Indian cricket today.

In guiding Punjab to the final, losing narrowly by six runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer became only the third player after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to lead teams to three IPL finals. Remarkably, he achieved this with three different franchises over five seasons, a testament to his adaptability and strategic depth.

While the Indian Test squad for the England tour in June does not feature Iyer, his commanding IPL run has raised fresh questions over that decision. Notably, the Punjab Kings’ acquisition of Iyer after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chose not to meet his retention fee demands turned out to be a windfall. For the Kings, Iyer brought not just tactical acumen but a passionate, grounded leadership style that resonated with players and fans alike.

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‘Job is still half done’

Even in the heartbreak of defeat, Iyer’s clarity and composure stood out.

“Job is still half done, we have to win it next year,” he said following Punjab’s narrow loss in the final at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium.

That level-headedness, reminiscent of Dhoni’s cool demeanour, is only one side of Iyer’s leadership. He also brings a dose of controlled aggression when needed, much like Virat Kohli, and possesses the street-smart instincts of his fellow Mumbaikar Rohit Sharma.

Endorsement from Ponting

Punjab Kings coach and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has worked closely with Iyer, lavished praise on the 30-year-old's character and drive.

“I actually was gutted... but he’s accepted that really well and he’s moved on,” Ponting said on The ICC Review ahead of the IPL playoffs. “He’s just got that real hunger in his eyes to do well every time that he plays for us here and wants to win games of cricket and wants to evolve and develop into the best leader and captain that he can be.”

Ponting’s endorsement carries weight. The two share a long-standing professional relationship dating back to 2017, when Iyer was handed the Delhi Capitals’ captaincy mid-season under Ponting’s mentorship after Gautam Gambhir stepped down. In 2020, Iyer led Delhi to their only IPL final to date.

A captain with range, and results

After a period out of the game due to injury, Iyer was not retained by Delhi as the franchise opted to build around Rishabh Pant. He joined KKR in 2024 and quietly helped steer the team to a title. However, much of the credit was publicly attributed to then-coach Gambhir, with Iyer’s contributions underappreciated.

Also Read: ‘Sarpanch sahab’ Shreyas Iyer: Man with the golden touch, who took three teams to IPL finals but fell short for Punjab Kings

In 2025, leading a very different Punjab outfit with a fresh backroom setup and revamped roster, Iyer’s strategic insights were on full display, and impossible to overlook. From backing Kyle Jamieson’s back-of-length bowling on low-bounce pitches to tailoring bowling plans for Vijaykumar Vyshak against Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, his tactical calls consistently paid off.

Iyer’s performance this year strongly suggests he could be a natural successor to Rohit Sharma in ODIs, especially given his consistency in the 50-over format. And with form and fitness, a return to the T20 and Test sides seems a matter of time.

Focused, process-driven and fiercely competitive

Those close to Iyer describe him as meticulous and mentally strong, with a single-minded focus on improvement.

“First and foremost, clarity of thought. He is a very process-driven man. He doesn’t miss his routines and drills pertaining to physical fitness. There are no cheat days,” said a source who has worked closely with him, reported PTI. “He has limited his friend circle over the years to ensure no negativity creeps into his system.”

His mental preparation and visualisation work has been guided by Abhishek Nayar, while childhood coach Praveen Amre helped him reconstruct his technique after his injury layoff.

“Constantly visualising with a bat in his hand, working on his head position, body stance and visualising every delivery,” a close friend added.

Also Read: Inexperience cost us a bit but young group will win a lot in future: Ricky Ponting

That competitive edge was on show when he reacted visibly to Shashank Singh’s run-out in Qualifier 2, and just as quickly showed leadership by encouraging young Priyansh Arya to keep playing his natural game.

‘We lost a battle, not the war’

After Punjab’s defeat to RCB in the first qualifier, Iyer said, “We have lost a battle not the war.” It was a statement that revealed not just resilience but vision, marking him as a player capable of seeing the bigger picture.

With each passing season, Shreyas Iyer continues to evolve, not just as a batsman, but as a leader of men. And while his name may not yet be etched alongside India’s most iconic captains, the journey has only just begun.

As Indian cricket looks to the future, there may be a new ‘Captain Cool’ in the making.

With inputs from PTI