Shreyas Iyer has achieved a unique milestone in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He became the first ever captain to lead three different franchises to the playoffs, a feat never accomplished before in the tournament’s 18-year history.
The Latest Chapter: Punjab Kings 2025
In the 2025 IPL season, Iyer took charge of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and led them to the playoffs, ending the team’s 11-year wait. Since 2014, Punjab hasn’t made it to the playoffs. Under Iyer’s leadership, the team turned their fortunes around, playing consistent cricket throughout the league stage.
PBKS secured their playoff spot with a crucial win over Rajasthan Royals, and Iyer’s calm leadership and ability to inspire confidence played a major role in this success.
Delhi Capitals: The start of His Captaincy Journey
Iyer began his captaincy journey in 2018 with the Delhi Capitals, who were then called the (Delhi Daredevils) . He quickly impressed with his mature decision-making. Under his leadership, Delhi reached the playoffs in 2019 and went one better in 2020, making it to their first-ever IPL final. Although they lost to Mumbai Indian, Iyer’s captaincy was widely praised.
Kolkata Knight Riders: A Title Winning Leader
In 2022, Iyer was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and led the team that season. He missed the 2023 IPL due to a back injury but made a strong comeback in 2024, captaining KKR to their third IPL title.
The 2024 season was one of dominance, and Iyer was a steady presence throughout. Despite his success, KKR surprisingly released him before the 2025 season. That move raised eyebrows across the Cricketing world. Iyer was later bought by PBKS at the auction for ₹26.75 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in IPL history.
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A Unique IPL Record
- Delhi Capitals to playoffs (2019, 2020)
- Kolkata Knight Riders to playoffs and a title (2024)
- Punjab Kings to playoffs (2025)
This sets him apart from other great IPL leaders like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir, none of whom have led three different teams to playoff qualification.
A Consistent Leader
Iyer has captained 80 IPL matches, with 44 wins, 32 losses, and 2 no-results, giving him a win percentage of around 55.00%. His calm approach under pressure, ability to back young players, and smart field placements make him a standout leader.
In one game this season, Iyer showed his selflessness when he was close to scoring a century but encouraged his teammate to take charge for the team’s benefit. Such gestures highlight why teams trust him with leadership duties.
What’s Next?
With the playoffs approaching, PBKS fans will be hoping Iyer can take them all the way. If he manages to win the title with Punjab, he will become one of the few captains to win IPL titles with multiple franchises.
No matter the outcome, Shreyas Iyer has already secured a place in IPL history books with a never done before captaincy feat, one that showcases his adaptability, tactical mind, and strong leadership across different teams and conditions.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
