Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has lauded Shreyas Iyer as a fearless captain who consistently injects a distinctive, attacking brand of cricket into every franchise he leads in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking to Jio Hotstar, Raina highlighted Iyer's ability to rapidly adapt and establish a commanding identity regardless of which team he represents.

Iyer's track record across franchises

Raina pointed to Iyer's success across multiple IPL sides as evidence of his leadership calibre. "Wherever he has gone, whichever franchise he has played for, he has brought a different brand of cricket. He has been fearless as a Captain and has led from the front," Raina said. The former Chennai Super Kings batter noted that Iyer has delivered tangible results at Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings, with Punjab reaching the IPL final last year — their first appearance in 11 years.

Communication and player backing

Raina attributed much of Iyer's success to his off-field communication and unwavering support for his squad. "Be it Delhi, KKR, or even Punjab, they played the final last year after a gap of 11 years. You can see why he is a good Captain, because the communication off the field seems to be brilliant. He backs his players," Raina added. This backing translates into player confidence and cohesion — a critical factor in the high-pressure T20 format.

Body language and composure

Raina drew a striking parallel between Iyer and former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, particularly in terms of presence and self-assurance. "When you see him walk around with that swag, his body language reminds me of Azhar bhai. When Mohammad Azharuddin used to be the Captain, the players around him had a different level of confidence," Raina noted. This intangible quality — the ability to elevate teammates through sheer demeanour — separates exceptional captains from competent ones.

Composure meets bold decision-making

Iyer's leadership style balances calmness with aggressive tactical choices, a combination essential in the explosive T20 arena. "Everyone has a different style of leadership, and with Shreyas, you get both composure and bold decision-making. When Punjab bat, you see them going all-out attack, and similarly with the bowling as well," Raina concluded. This tactical clarity has been evident in Punjab's approach this season — they dominated early with a seven-match unbeaten run but have since stumbled with consecutive losses to Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans.

Punjab's IPL 2026 campaign

Punjab Kings currently occupy the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from nine matches. Despite recent setbacks, their early dominance under Iyer's captaincy has established them as genuine contenders. They face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday in a crucial fixture.