India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, arguably one of the most dependable white-ball players in the game right now, has finally opened up about the stark contrast he felt between the management at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Coming off a high after helping India win the Champions Trophy in March 2025, Iyer said all the stakeholders at Punjab Kings were eager to hear from him and have him contribute meaningfully, something he hinted he did not experience at his former franchise.
Iyer, who was bought by KKR in the 2022 auction, won laurels by leading the team to their third IPL title in 2024. However, after a triumphant season, the 30-year-old parted ways with the Knight Riders and was picked for a staggering 26.75 crore by PBKS, making him the second costliest player in the history of the tournament. He has hinted that there was no clear-cut communication with KKR, which may have prompted his decision to part ways with the three-time IPL champions.
“I was part of the conversation, but wasn’t completely in the mix. I’ve had to work my way up to get to the position I am in now,” Iyer told GQ, highlighting the difference in treatment between his former and current team.
“I was coming off a high, having just helped India win the Champions Trophy. So all the stakeholders at Punjab Kings were eager to hear from me and have me contribute meaningfully. This allowed me to be decisive both on and off the field,” he explained.
In 2025, Iyer did the unthinkable for the eventual runners-up, the Punjab Kings. For a franchise that had failed to secure a playoff spot since 2014, he led from the front and helped the team finish at the top of the points table. Particularly in a crunch Qualifier 2 game, the right-handed batter was at his absolute best, smashing a match-winning 87* off 41 deliveries against a threatening Mumbai Indians side to book a place in the finals, averaging 50.33 in the entire season.
“I offer a lot as a captain and player. If I get respect, anything can be accomplished. This is what happened in Punjab. They gave me all the support I needed, whether it was the coaches, management or players,” he added.
Showcasing astute skills in captaincy as well, his standout showdown came against his former franchise, KKR, successfully defending just 111 runs in Mullanpur. Though Iyer might have fallen agonisingly short of an IPL title, he has started to cement his legacy for the Punjab Kings. For the season of 2026, all eyes will be on him to see if he can win his second IPL title as captain.