Shreyas Iyer Journey as a Captain in the IPL

Shreyas Iyer has become one of the most consistent and tactically aware captains in Indian cricket. At a time when captaincy is constantly questioned, Shreyas has proven himself by leading three different teams to the finals of each of their tournaments. His captaincy has the perfect mixture of aggression, calmness, and a great awareness of the match. What he has, which will always set him apart from the rest, is not only the ability to bat but also the ability to get a team together, the ability to give the young guns confidence, and the ability to lead with foresight.

Let’s take a look at the three teams he successfully led to the finals and how his leadership stood out in each journey.

Three Teams, Three Finals: Iyer’s Winning Captaincy

1. Delhi Capitals - IPL 2020 Finalists

Iyer’s captaincy came to the fore when he assumed the role of captain in the Indian Premier League with Delhi Capitals (DC). As captain, he led DC from being lackluster to innovating as a contender in the tournament. The 2020 season was a milestone for DC as they reached their first IPL final with a youthful side that had never played in the finals. What impressed people was Iyer's cool demeanor and the fact that he led with a grasp of tactical awareness of the match itself, ensuring that DC was one of the most competent teams in that year's IPL. DC may have lost to Mumbai Indians in the final, but his captaincy gained respect from all in attendance.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders - IPL 2024 Finalist

Iyer returned to captain Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024 after missing time due to injury and not being in a leadership role. Once again, he exhibited maturity and a sharp cricket brain to lead KKR to the final. His ability to rotate bowlers in a smart manner, keep a calm fielding unit, and back his batters was key to KKR playing consistent cricket throughout the tournament. His second IPL final as a captain proved his leadership qualities again.

3. Punjab Kings - IPL 2025 Finalist

Punjab Kings made history by reaching the IPL final for the first time in 11 years after surprising and defeating Mumbai Indians in a thrilling Qualifier 2 matchup. With captain Shreyas Iyer scoring 87 not out, PBKS chased down a competitive target in a composed manner. Iyer’s calm leadership and smart tactics were key to managing pressure moments, and he received deserved coverage from fans.