New Delhi, April 23: South Africa's towering left-arm pace all-rounder Marco Jansen has heaped praise on Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer, describing him as a "pleasure to work with" — goal-driven, headstrong, and inclusive in his approach to leadership. Jansen's comments come as PBKS continues to be the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, making their campaign one of the most talked-about storylines of the tournament so far.

Shreyas Iyer: A Captain Who Makes Every Player Feel Valued

Marco Jansen was effusive in his assessment of Shreyas Iyer's captaincy during a virtual roundtable session organised by the franchise ahead of their clash against Delhi Capitals. The South African all-rounder said Iyer ranks among the very best leaders he has played under, citing the skipper's clarity of vision and collaborative style.

"Shreyas, as a captain, is definitely up there, if not on top. He's a pleasure to work with. He knows what he wants from the players. He motivates and drives us to play our best," Jansen said. He added that Iyer creates an environment where players feel empowered rather than constrained — a quality that is increasingly rare in high-pressure T20 cricket.

Jansen specifically highlighted that Iyer's leadership style is far from authoritarian. "It's never a case of it feels like a dictatorship. He makes everyone feel valued and welcomed," the South African pacer noted. This psychological safety within the dressing room, cricket analysts argue, is a key factor behind PBKS's unbeaten run in IPL 2026.

Jansen's Role as First-Change Bowler: Adapting Without Losing Identity

With Xavier Bartlett and Arshdeep Singh sharing the new ball, Jansen has been deployed as a first-change bowler — a tactical shift from his natural preference. Yet the 6-foot-6 left-armer insists this has not diminished his effectiveness or his confidence.

"Coming in the third, fourth, or sometimes fifth over is definitely a different approach. But it's not a case of thinking I can't take wickets," Jansen explained. He acknowledged that Arshdeep and Bartlett swing the ball more consistently, but stressed that he brings a different set of attributes — primarily his steep bounce from a hard length — that complement the unit.

Notably, in IPL 2025, Jansen finished as PBKS's joint second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets from 14 matches, with his most potent returns coming in the middle overs — six wickets at an economy of 8.5 runs per over. His ability to generate awkward lift on Indian surfaces, which traditionally assist spinners, has made him a genuine asset in the PBKS bowling arsenal.

The Hard-Length Philosophy: Learning From Josh Hazlewood

Jansen drew a revealing parallel with Australia's Josh Hazlewood when explaining why bowling hard lengths has become his signature. Both are tall, seam-up bowlers who extract more from a length than most, and both have been consistently effective across formats.

"Josh Hazlewood does the exact same. People still ask how he just hits a length and picks up wickets without going for many runs. I also have one or two variations, but I think it comes down to both of us being tall bowlers," Jansen said. The 25-year-old admitted that earlier in his career, he mistakenly tried to mirror other bowlers rather than lean into his own strengths.

"The last year or so, I've felt comfortable in my own skin. I've felt comfortable doing what I feel is best to help me stay consistent," he reflected. This self-awareness has coincided with Jansen's emergence as a genuine international all-rounder, having also impressed for the Proteas in the T20 World Cup.

Bowling Unit Cohesion: The Secret Behind PBKS's Unbeaten Run

Beyond individual performances, Jansen pointed to the collective trust within the PBKS bowling group as a defining factor. He cited Yuzvendra Chahal's role in the middle overs and Shashank Singh's surprise contributions — taking two wickets in his first over of the season — as examples of how the squad's depth has been weaponised.

"It doesn't matter where we bowl, or where Shreyas decides to bowl a particular bowler. We know there's a reason behind it, and we trust that whoever has the ball will do the best job for the team," Jansen said. This level of systemic trust, built through clear communication and structured planning, is what separates elite T20 bowling units from average ones.

On death-over tactics, Jansen acknowledged the evolving challenge of modern T20 batting. "Batters hit sixes over point these days. I don't know how they do it. So it's about keeping them on their toes and making them guess the next ball," he said with candour.

What's Next for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026

As the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, Punjab Kings face growing pressure to sustain their momentum. Their upcoming fixture against Delhi Capitals will be a significant test of whether their bowling unit — built on trust, role clarity, and tactical flexibility — can maintain its dominance against a side that has been improving steadily. With Shreyas Iyer's leadership and Marco Jansen's all-round contributions at the core, PBKS look well-equipped to continue their title charge in what could be their most competitive season in years.