Shreyas Iyer does the Unthinkable in IPL as soon as Punjab Kings qualify for IPL 2025 Playoffs

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer has achieved a new milestone in the IPL by leading the franchise to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The Mohali franchise confirmed its position among three of the four IPL 2025 playoff teams after the match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

Gujarat secured the top spot on the points table with 18 points after defeating the Delhi Capitals on Sunday, May 18. Punjab is in third place, having won eight out of 12 matches. They share 17 points with second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but are behind them due to net run rate (NRR).

Shreyas Iyer Becomes First IPL Captain to Achieve Massive Milestone

Shreyas Iyer has become the first captain in IPL history to lead three different teams into the playoffs. The middle-order batter guided the Punjab Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2014.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Iyer guided Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2019 and then steered them to the IPL final in 2020. However, the Delhi-based team lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL final.

Iyer then moved to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and led them to their third IPL title, a decade after their last championship. He also became the first player to captain two different teams to the IPL final.

Shreyas Iyer is Only the Fifth Cricketer to Lead Three Different IPL Franchises

Shreyas Iyer joined a rare group of players after being bought by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. He became only the fifth cricketer to lead three different IPL franchises in a campaign, joining legends Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Steven Smith, and Ajinkya Rahane.

Iyer has a reputation for transforming struggling teams. He took Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2019 after a seven-year gap, led KKR to a title a decade after their last, and has now ended Punjab Kings’ 11-year playoff drought. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting was also with Iyer during his stint at DC.

Punjab Kings Edge Past Rajasthan Royals in High-Scoring Thriller

Punjab Kings held their nerve to register a narrow 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Sunday. After choosing to bat first, PBKS suffered early blows and lost three wickets inside the powerplay. But a solid partnership between Nehal Wadhera and Shreyas Iyer helped steady the innings.

Wadhera scored 70 off just 37 balls, including five fours and five sixes, while Iyer added 30 runs. Their 67-run stand gave PBKS the platform to post a challenging total. Shashank Singh finished with an unbeaten 59 runs off 30 deliveries and guided Punjab to a formidable 219.

In response, Rajasthan Royals openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 25) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15) put PBKS under pressure. However, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar turned the game in Punjab’s favor with a match-defining spell of 3/22, helping seal a thrilling win for the visitors.

Also read: Sarfaraz Khan loses 10 kg with a strict diet to cement his place in Playing XI in England tour