Punjab Kings reign supreme in IPL 2026 without a single loss, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and batting heroics. The resilient leader, fresh off injury woes, has the team primed for glory.
On JioStar’s ‘Believe’ show, hosted by Irfan Pathan, Iyer delved into his mindset. He thrives on skepticism: ‘Hearing “you can’t do this” ignites me. It becomes a challenge to return stronger, especially after injuries.’
His back injury drew pessimism. ‘They claimed I’d never recover fully. But I reshaped my approach—prioritize essentials, block distractions.’ This philosophy keeps him grounded amid success.
Building self-belief, Iyer draws from life’s ups and downs. ‘Trials in youth cricket and selections forged me. Quick recovery from lows via positive self-dialogue is key. Detach from cricket sometimes—read, vacation, accept failures, move on.’
Iyer’s finisher prowess shines. ‘Love finishing not out; it maximizes wins. Openers’ platforms in chases are gold. Even without, I craft scenarios to deliver.’ Punjab’s chase victories underscore this.
The short ball critique? ‘It spurred me. From nudging singles to six-hitting power. Pravin Amre’s guidance since childhood, chats with Abhishek Nayar—long sessions against pacers build rhythm. Get into position pre-release, flow like the greats: de Villiers, Sharma, Kohli.’
A nostalgic nod to Pathan: ‘IPL 2008, ball boy duties. You approached after your over for Punjab, chatted with us. Unforgettable for a kid.’
Iyer’s transformation positions Punjab Kings as title favorites. His narrative of turning taunts into triumphs redefines cricketing grit.
