Shreyas Iyer has been in superb touch since joining Punjab Kings at the IPL mega auction, and his impact has gone far beyond runs alone. He has grown into the leadership role as well, guiding PBKS to a runners-up finish last season after they topped the points table, and keeping them unbeaten in the current campaign. His consistency with the bat and calm presence under pressure have made him one of the standout performers in IPL 2026.
Iyer scored 604 runs last season at a strike rate of 175.07 and has carried that momentum into this year as well. In six innings, he has already compiled 279 runs at a strike rate of 186, showing once again that he belongs among the most destructive middle-order batters in the tournament. For all his success, however, the Mumbai batter has long been judged on one specific flaw: his vulnerability against the short ball.
That criticism, according to Shreyas Iyer, became the spark that changed his approach. “People said I would never fix my short-ball problem. That triggered me,” Iyer said on JioHotstar. “I wanted to prove them wrong by performing well. So, I worked hard on it. Earlier, I would just take a single or try to keep the ball down. But now my mindset has changed. If I see a short ball in my zone, I am going to hit it for a six.”
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He also credited his growth to long-term work with coach Pravin Amre and regular conversations with Abhishek Nayar.
“I work with Pravin Amre. I have been with him since I was young. I also talk to coaches like Abhishek Nayar. We share ideas,” he said. “During my batting practice, I now try to play around 50 overs and face over 300 balls. That helps me understand what works for me.”
విమర్శకుల నోళ్లు మూయించిన శ్రేయాస్ అయ్యర్!
Shreyas Iyer silences critics!https://t.co/2hKsq7qQuB#ShreyasIyer #IPL2026 #PunjabKings #PBKS #Iyer #Kalam #KalamDaily #KalamTelugu— Kalam Daily (@kalamtelugu) April 28, 2026
Iyer explained that he does not rely on a fixed template but instead focuses on building rhythm through repetition and time in the middle. “The more I face bowlers, the clearer my movement becomes. I focus on creating a rhythm,” he said. “You must have seen AB de Villiers do that. Even Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have that rhythm before playing their shots. I try to do the same.”
The PBKS captain also opened up about his mindset when people doubt him, especially after injuries.
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“I have people around me who say that in this situation, you can’t do it. It’s impossible. I don’t like hearing that,” he said. “When I had my back injury, some people said I would never be the same again. I asked myself, why can’t I be?”
That refusal to accept limits has become a defining part of Iyer’s journey. In IPL 2026, it is showing both in his batting and in the way he is driving Punjab Kings forward.
