Shreyas Iyer, the newly appointed captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), has boldly rated himself a perfect 10/10 as a T20 player. Iyer also said that he hates losing and this mentality has led him to become the leader he is today.
After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL glory in 2024, Shreyas Iyer is now all set to bring his winning mentality to Punjab Kings (PBKS). With his leadership skills and batting talent, the Mumbai player promises to make a huge impact in the next edition of the tournament.
I'm a Captain Editor: Shreyas Iyer after getting captaincy for Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025
Speaking about his leadership style, Iyer emphasized that he believes in giving his players the freedom to express themselves without any pressure to behave in a certain way. However, when it comes to being on the field, the Indian batsman expects every player to share the same goal of winning and contributing to the team's success.
Shreyas Iyer was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: βI am a liberating captain. I just let the players go. I donβt want them to behave in any particular way. But when we are on the field, I want everyone to have the same mentality and the same motto: to win and contribute to the team. Thatβs all.β Nothing. I don't want anything else.”
Reflecting on his success as captain last year, Shreyas Iyer feels proud to be among the few captains to have won the Indian Premier League title. However, the newly appointed PBKS captain admitted that his journey has been full of challenges, but his winning mentality has helped him grow as a leader.
Shreyas Iyer says he hates losing
The Indian middle-order batsman also noted, “It is a feeling of pride to be one of the eight guys (to win the IPL title as captain). The journey has been like a rollercoaster ride. It has never been easy. I am someone who fully believes in winning all the time. I personally hate losing,” I believe that is what elevated me to where I am now as a leader.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings (PBKS) broke the bankroll for Iyer, signing the Indian pacer for a whopping INR 26.75 Crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and the cricketer admitted that he was just shocked when he saw how teams were fighting for him. At some point, he covered his ears with cotton.
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β Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 12, 2025
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I'm absolutely stunned and stunned: Shreyas Iyer in bidding war for IPL 2025 mega auction
βI was absolutely stunned,β Iyer added. I wasn't expecting that amount, but I was expecting somewhere around that amount. So, once (the bidding) got past a certain point, I was covering my ears with cotton, and I didn't want to stay in front of the TV. “Yes, I was in a daze.”
The Mumbai pacer is all set to reunite with Australian legend Ricky Ponting at Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. The duo has already worked together at Delhi Capitals and Iyer said he is well aware of Ponting's mentality and also likes the coach to give freedom to his players like him. Iyer signed off by saying: “Ricky Ponting is someone who likes the person or player who owns up to his mistakes. That's a great thing about him.”
