Shreyas Iyer Named Captain of Punjab Kings: Can He Lead Them to Their First IPL Title?
CricketPanditShreyas Iyer has been officially named the captain of Punjab Kings for the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League.
Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the 2024 season, was released by the franchise later that year and subsequently signed by Kings for a hefty sum of INR 26.75 Crore, making it the second-largest purchase in the auction.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable year in domestic cricket and the IPL, clinching four titles across various formats. In addition to guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to success last season, Iyer also captained the Mumbai team that triumphed in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was also part of the Mumbai squad that won both the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Trophy.
Iyer shared his excitement about this new opportunity and aims to change the fortunes of a franchise that has yet to secure an IPL title. The Kings’ best performance came in 2014 when they reached the final but were defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders. Following a moderately successful mega auction, Iyer is confident that the team assembled is capable of going all the way.
“I am honoured that the team has placed its trust in me. I am eager to collaborate once again with Coach Ponting. The team appears strong, featuring a great blend of potential and experienced players. I hope to justify the faith shown by the management and help us achieve our first title.”
With Iyer as captain, the duo of him and Ricky Ponting reunites, a partnership that previously led Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final in 2020. The Australian coach praised Iyer’s skills and seemed enthusiastic about their collaboration in this new chapter.
“Shreyas has a sharp cricketing mind. His proven leadership will empower the team to perform. I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the IPL, and I am looking forward to working with him again. With his guidance and the talent within the squad, I am excited about the upcoming seasons.” From the moment he was signed at an impressive price, Iyer was seen as the leading candidate for Punjab’s captaincy.
CEO Satish Menon shared that this was a key factor behind the franchise’s bold bid for the Mumbai batter. Like Iyer, Menon, along with Ponting, is optimistic that this captain-coach duo will lead Punjab to redemption starting from the 2025 season. “We had pinpointed Shreyas as our captain and were thrilled with the outcome of the auction. He has already demonstrated his mastery of the format, and his vision for the team aligns seamlessly with our objectives. With him and Ponting working together again, we believe our team has a strong leadership group to steer us toward our first title.”
