The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season marked a historic chapter for the Punjab Kings, led by the ever-resilient Shreyas Iyer. The stylish right-hander, who had already proven himself as a tactically astute leader, reflected on his bold switch from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to Punjab and the immense support he received from his new franchise.

While Punjab narrowly missed clinching their maiden title after a heart-stopping six-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final, Iyer’s leadership earned widespread admiration. Shreyas Iyer, who guided KKR to their third IPL crown in 2024, made headlines when retention talks with the Kolkata-based franchise fell through.

This decision pushed him into the high-profile auction, where the Punjab Kings signed him for a record INR 26.75 crore. The move paid off immediately, as Iyer scored 604 runs at an average of 50.3 and a blistering strike rate of 175, becoming the backbone of Punjab’s batting while steering the team to their second-ever IPL final.

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“I offer a lot as both a captain and a player. If I’m shown respect, I can deliver results. At Punjab, the support was incredible—whether from the coaches, management, or players. Coming off the Champions Trophy win with India, I was trusted to bring my vision to the table. I was part of every strategic discussion, which I truly enjoy. It’s been a journey to reach this level, but that trust made all the difference,” Shreyas Iyer told GQ India.

His success was further amplified by reuniting with Ricky Ponting, Punjab’s head coach, who previously mentored him at Delhi Capitals. Together, they revived a side that hadn’t played a final in over a decade.

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Shreyas Iyer also carved out a unique IPL record, becoming the first-ever captain to lead three different franchises to the final—Delhi Capitals in 2020, KKR in 2024, and Punjab Kings in 2025. With this remarkable run, Iyer has firmly cemented his reputation as one of the IPL’s most adaptable and influential leaders, proving that bold decisions and self-belief can reshape a franchise’s destiny.