Shreyas Iyer "Will Captain India...": After Leading Punjab Kings Into IPL 2025 Final, Star Receives Huge Compliment

Shreyas Iyer, after Sunday's innings against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, will go down as one of the greatest skippers in the T20 franchise league. The Punjab Kings captain Iyer led from the front in a 204-run chase against the five-time champions with an unbeaten 87 (41 balls, 8x6s, 5x4s) to take the side into its maiden IPL final since 2014. With the win, Punjab Kings have set up a summit clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3 as the tournament will get its new winner after 2022, when debutant Gujarat Titans lifted the title under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

After the win, 2007 T20 World Cup winner Robin Uthappa wrote on X that Iyer will one day lead the Indian cricket team.  

"I've said this time and again and I'll say it AGAIN!! Iyer will captain India in multiple formats!! He has to!! He's that good," Uthappa wrote on X.

I've said this time and again and I'll say it AGAIN!! Iyer will captain India in multiple formats!! He has to!! He's that good!! 🫡🫠

— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) June 1, 2025

Shreyas Iyer's knock was full of maturity and calmness as he built a crucial 84-run stand with Nehal Wadhera and kept the momentum going for PBKS despite losing wickets of Josh Inglis and Wadhera during the chase.

"I'm obviously a huge fan. What happened in the game was out of this world, and Shreyas deserves full credit. Under extreme pressure, he delivered when it mattered,” AB De Villiers said on JioStar.

"That four off Bumrah past the slip cordon — for me, that was the shot of the night. His sixes were clean, no mishits. He stays calm, doesn't get arrogant or overly emotional — just very level-headed. There are many more runs in him," he added.

Former India head coach Sanjay Bangar also heaped praise on Iyer's match-winning knock saying it was a fabulous effort from the right-handed batter.

"There's so much to appreciate about Shreyas Iyer's overall approach. The way he allows the batter at the other end to play their natural game is crucial — and that ability to build partnerships made the real difference. Some of the shots he played, especially against quality yorkers — guiding them past short third and point and even threading one through fine third man — were outstanding, especially with the game in the balance. It was a fabulous effort from Shreyas.

"His experience and temperament were key to navigating a strong Mumbai Indians attack, which he dismantled by picking his moments and targeting the right bowlers," Bangar said.

Topics mentioned in this article

Shreyas Iyer Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Robin Uthappa Cricket