Shreyas Iyer's captaincy credentials in the Indian Premier League (IPL) were further enhanced as he led Punjab Kings (PBKS) into the playoffs on Sunday, May 18. PBKS is now joined by Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final four, after an important weekend of games.
Following the resumption of the league on Saturday, May 17, RCB's match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was abandoned due to rain, while PBKS registered a big win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur. GT's crushing 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (DC) booked their own playoff qualification, and with that, all 10 teams had reached the playoff stage, with one qualification still outstanding.
A Record-Breaking Milestone for Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer created history by taking PBKS to the playoffs in his first season with the team. At 30 years of age, he has become the first player in the history of IPL to take three different teams to the playoffs, having previously led Delhi Capitals (in 2019 and 2020) and Kolkata Knight Riders (in 2024).
Iyer joins an elite group of captains, becoming only the second in IPL history to guide multiple teams into the playoffs. The first was Steve Smith, who led Rajasthan Royals (2015) and Rising Pune Supergiant (2017). However, Smith’s leadership stint with RR came mid-season, as he replaced Shane Watson midway through the 2015 edition.
There's a chance of a third entry into this exclusive club—if Mumbai Indians (MI) qualify, Hardik Pandya will have made playoff appearances as captain with two teams.
Among Elite Company
With this achievement, Iyer is the fifth player to have captained three different IPL teams, following in the footsteps of:
- Steve Smith (RR, Pune Warriors India, RPSG)
- Kumar Sangakkara (PBKS, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Mahela Jayawardene (PBKS, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, DC)
- Ajinkya Rahane (RR, RPSG, KKR)
Of these, only Sangakkara and Iyer have been permanent captains of all three sides they have captained.
This season also represents a rare occurrence for PBKS, having now qualified for the playoffs for just the third time since their formation. Iyer joins the lists of Yuvraj Singh (2008) and George Bailey (2014), the only former captains to captain the team into the final stages.
Now, Iyer is on the threshold of more history. He can become the first player to lead two teams to an IPL title, having already won the trophy with KKR in the last season. In fact, he already has the sole distinction of being the only captain to win the IPL with two clubs.
A Rollercoaster Journey
Even though he led KKR to victory, Iyer was not retained before the 2025 season. His release was a historic precedent—no captain of an IPL title-winning team had ever been released in the year following title win. At the mega auction conducted in Jeddah, PBKS picked him up at a whopping ₹26.75 crore, making him the second-most valuable player in league history.
With the playoffs looming, all eyes are now on Shreyas Iyer. Not only can he give PBKS their first title, but he's also etching out a legacy as one of the most successful and versatile leaders the IPL has ever known.
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