How Sarpanch Shreyas joined the India captaincy race this IPL
IPL 2025: The Punjab Kings maverick needs friends to add new English words to his vocabulary, not to unload at 3 a.m, because like he says, "not to sound condescending, but I have all the answers"
According to one of Indian cricket’s influential decision-makers the major takeaway from IPL 2025 has been the emergence of Shreyas Iyer, the leader. (BCCI)
What has been the most staggering takeaway of this IPL season? According to one of Indian cricket’s influential decision-makers it has been the emergence of Shreyas Iyer, the leader. On the eve of the final, gazing well beyond the RCB vs Punjab Kings title clash, the official would say: “Right now he just plays ODIs but after this IPL we can’t keep him out of T20 internationals and even Tests. Plus he also has now officially joined the white-ball captaincy race.”
Welcome to Indian cricket, where one exceptional IPL can alter opinions and change perspectives. At the start of 2024, Shreyas didn’t have BCCI’s central contract. That same year, he wasn’t among the 15 picked for the T20 World Cup, not even among the 4 standbyes. His dreadful 2024 would wrap up with KKR refusing to retain him – the defending IPL champions shockingly putting their winning captain on sale at the auction.
