Shreyas Iyer has been a revelation as a captain and batter for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. He took the franchise to their first-ever final in more than a decade last year, and the team has started well in IPL 2026. PBKS are still unbeaten, winning three matches, while a contest against KKR was called off due to rain. Former India opener Aakash Chopra is pleased with the performance of the right-handed batter, and he made a bold prediction for the ODI vice-captain of the Men in Blue.
In the latest game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh, he guided his team to a six-wicket win in a 220-run chase. Iyer scored an unbeaten 69 runs off 33 balls, laced with 5 fours and 5 sixes and didn’t allow the Hyderabad bowlers to trouble him. He took time before going for big shots, and once he got used to the pace of the wicket, there was no looking back.
He was named the Player of the Match for his effort. Meanwhile, Aakash was surprised that he was still not a part of India’s T20I side.
“I’m a huge fan of Shreyas Iyer’s skill to control the middle overs, in both ODI and T20S. It’ll be a travesty if he’s not a part of India’s T20 set-up sooner than later. In fact, could be a captaincy candidate for the next World Cup,” he wrote on X.
I’m a huge fan of Shreyas Iyer’s skill to control the middle overs. In both ODI and T20s. It’ll be a travesty if he’s not a part of India’s T20 set-up sooner than later. In fact, could be a captaincy candidate for the next World Cup 🙌
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 11, 2026
He is in the eighth spot in the list of the leading run-scorers in the 19th season of the tournament. In 4 matches, he has amassed 137 runs at an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 187.67, including two fifties. Shreyas has struck 10 sixes and 9 fours.
The national selection panel has ignored him in the shortest format despite his magnificent performances in the cash-rich league. Although he regularly plans ODIs for the national team, his last T20I came against Australia in 2023. He was added to the squad on a few occasions but was benched in favour of the other players.
Iyer has represented India in 51 T20Is, accumulating 1104 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. He has posted 8 fifties, 9 boundaries and 44 sixes.
