Former India star Irfan Pathan has thrown his weight behind Shreyas Iyer, predicting the Punjab Kings skipper will match his IPL 2025 heroics in the 2026 edition. Iyer’s 604-run haul from 17 games at a 175 strike rate was instrumental in guiding Punjab to the finals, marking a turnaround for the franchise.
Pathan’s optimism stems from Iyer’s leadership prowess and batting consistency. The recent auction additions of Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis signal Punjab’s intent to build on last year’s momentum. For Pathan, this season offers Iyer a golden opportunity to force his way back into the national T20 team.
Speaking to GeoStar, Pathan delved deeper: ‘Shreyas might not be fixated on using IPL for T20 selection, but his Punjab form speaks volumes. He’s excelled across franchises and for India, particularly in white-ball cricket. India needs him in T20s.’
The ex-cricketer singled out Iyer’s playoff masterclass against Mumbai Indians, reminiscing about the cheeky third-man shot against Bumrah. ‘That performance was unforgettable. I can’t wait for an encore, and my gut says it’ll happen.’
Pathan lauded Punjab’s well-rounded squad. Top-order firepower from Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, and Priyansh Arya looks solid. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh strengthen the middle, while Stoinis handles finishing duties. Much hinges on Mitchell Owen’s output; if the powerhouse clicks, selecting the pace attack—Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen—becomes straightforward, backed by depth. Punjab opens its IPL 2026 account versus Gujarat Titans on March 31.