Shreyas Iyer has etched his name in Indian Premier League (IPL) history by becoming the first-ever captain to lead three different franchises into the IPL playoffs.

On May 18, 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a top-four finish after a crucial win against Rajasthan Royals and a concurrent victory by Gujarat Titans over Delhi Capitals confirmed their playoffs berth. This marked PBKS’s first playoffs appearance since 2014 and underscored Iyer’s unique leadership journey across the IPL landscape.

Shreyas Iyer’s odyssey of leading different teams in IPL playoffs

Iyer’s captaincy credentials have steadily grown since he first took charge of Delhi Capitals. Under his leadership, Delhi reached the IPL final in 2020, a landmark achievement for the franchise. Following that, in 2024, Iyer captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title, showcasing his ability to inspire and strategize at the highest level. His move to PBKS in 2025, for a hefty sum of Rs 26.75 crore-making him the second most expensive IPL player ever-was a strategic acquisition influenced by Ricky Pontingwho had previously worked closely with Iyer at Delhi Capitals.

At Punjab, Iyer has led from the front, delivering consistent batting performances and astute captaincy. His leadership helped PBKS claw back from difficult situations against formidable teams like Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders. This season, he scored 435 runs at an impressive strike rate of 174.69, the highest for Punjab so far, proving his value both as a batter and a leader.

Shreyas Iyer’s tactical brilliance in IPL 2025

Punjab Kings’ playoff qualification was sealed after a thrilling 10-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 doubleheader opener. Despite losing early wickets, the team posted a formidable 219 runs, thanks to Nehal Wadhera’s 70 and Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 59. In the bowling department, spinner Harpreet Brar emerged as a match-winner, taking three key wickets including both openers. Even when Iyer had to be substituted out due to a finger injury during the second innings, his tactical guidance from the sidelines helped the team hold their nerve and secure the win.

This victory took PBKS to 17 points from 12 games, virtually guaranteeing their playoff spot with two matches still to play. The qualification ended an 11-year drought for PBKS, who last made the playoffs in 2014. Iyer’s leadership was widely praised for instilling a winning mindset and resilience within the squad, traits that have been instrumental in the team’s turnaround this season.