Virat Kohli’s chasemaster tag not safe? Manoj Tiwary hails Shreyas Iyer after match-winning knock vs SRH
Published - 12 Apr 2026, 01:28 PM | Updated - 12 Apr 2026, 01:35 PM
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Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer is quietly turning into one of the most dangerous batters in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), and the way he is finishing games and handling pressure, he is proving that with every match.
Shreyas Iyer is making big chases look easy with his calm and control in the ongoing season, and former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary feels the PBKS captain is moving closer to the level where Virat Kohli has dominated for years as one of the greatest chase masters of the game.
Shreyas Iyer powers PBKS to stunning chase against SRH
Iyer played a brilliant knock when his team needed him the most during Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Mullanpur on Saturday, April 11. They were chasing a huge target of 220, and they had a great start, but suddenly they faced a shocking collapse.
Read Also: “Travesty if ignored” - Ex-India opener backs Shreyas Iyer for India captaincy role amid IPL 2026
However, the PBKS skipper stayed calm, played smart cricket, and took the game away from SRH. Iyer played an incredible knock of an unbeaten 69 off just 33 balls, hitting 5 fours and 5 sixes, and kept the chase on track. At the other end, Luvnith Sisodia gave him solid support with 32 not out.
Sisodia and Iyer built a strong 108-run partnership and took the team from 115/4 to a comfortable win. Punjab Kings finished the chase with 7 balls to spare, registering their third win of the season with a game washed out against KKR. They are now sitting on the second position in the points table.
Manoj Tiwary sees Virat Kohli-like qualities in Shreyas Iyer’s chase game
After the match, Manoj Tiwary hailed how Iyer is becoming a reliable match-winner in chases, saying he is getting close to the status of Virat Kohli’s chase master.
Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz: “The way Sarpanch Saheb (Shreyas Iyer) is batting right now, especially in chases, looks very controlled and secure, and it is a joy to watch. Even if early wickets fall, having a player like him gives confidence to the rest of the team, as he has already won a few matches on his own. For years, Virat Kohli has been known as a chase master, but the way Shreyas is chasing these days with such calmness and calculation, the time is not far when his name will also come into that discussion.”
Tiwary has pointed out that the right-handed batter is not letting captaincy affect his batting. The cricket pandit added, “He has not let the pressure of captaincy affect his batting at all. He is on a similar path to Kohli, who led from the front while winning matches for his team. Wherever Shreyas has captained, he has done well and even taken teams to the finals.”
Manoj Tiwary praises Iyer’s control and selfless approach
The former Indian cricketer also hailed Shreyas Iyer’s balance and selfless approach. There is a difference between just attacking and playing with control. And Tiwary has noted that Shreyas is hitting boundaries whenever he wants, but with complete control, which shows “he is in the right mindset."
He signed off by saying, “This comes because he stays focused, does not get distracted, and always keeps the team first. He could have batted at number three for personal benefit, but he chose to come at number four, understands the match situation, plans the chase properly, and finishes games. He is playing selfless cricket and always takes the team along with him.”
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