By taking Punjab Kings to victory against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 and pushing RCB to the limit in a strenuous IPL 2025 final, Shreyas Iyer became the first-ever captain who could lead three different franchises to the last stage of the tournament. It’s a remarkable personal achievement and a statement in itself. Iyer is not merely a rising star now; he is placing himself among the pantheon of IPL’s elite leaders alongside legends, such as Dhoni and Rohit.
This record would now rekindle most new debates; fans and analysts would now talk of Iyer in the same breath as Dhoni-and-Hitman. But it may be speaking a bit too early to give any definitive judgment. One thing is certain though: Shreyas Iyer’s credentials now cannot be contested in terms of captaincy. He does not break the mold, rather reshapes the discourse in terms of what that greatness looks like in IPL captaincy.
Statistical Comparison
| Metric | MS Dhoni | Rohit Sharma | Shreyas Iyer |
| Matches as Captain | 235 | 158 | 87 |
| Won | 133 | 87 | 50+ |
| Win Percentage | 57.87% | 56.33% | 57% |
| IPL Titles | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Player Grooming Impact
| Captain | Notable Players Groomed |
| Dhoni | Ruturaj, Jadeja, Raina,Pathirana |
| Rohit Sharma | Bumrah, Hardik Pandya,Surya Kumar Yadav. |
| S.Iyer | Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Musheer Khan |
Also read: IPL Orange & Purple Cap Winners (2008–2025): Full List, Stats & Records
IPL Title Wins
- MS Dhoni has clinched 5 IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
- While Rohit Sharma has done the same with Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020).
- Shreyas Iyer has 1 IPL title so far, winning with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.
Iyer stands alone as the only skipper to have guided three separate franchises to the IPL final
- Delhi Capitals (2020)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (2024)
- Punjab Kings (2025)
While Dhoni and Rohit have established their own legacies, Iyer stands out for his versatility and achievements with various teams.
Leadership Styles and Attitude
- MS Dhoni has led since 2008 with an impregnable poise and a razor-sharp approach to strategy. His consistent approach to captaincy has been on the basis of three major considerations: consistency; long-term plans; and developing a unit that can exist independently, maintaining itself.
- Rohit Sharma has been captain since 2013 and, compared to Dhoni, has a more intuitive and assertive style. His leadership works on staying in the moment, relying on the trust of a small core bunch, and the ability to deliver when it matters.
- Iyer is the face of generic modernity; an adaptable and data-shrewd approach is his case. From 2018 onward, his rise through different franchises showcases his power of adaptation, leading different squads to winning outcomes in diverse setups.
Together, they not only define different phases of the IPL, but they also embody three distinct leadership philosophies shaped by the demands of their teams and times.
Verdict
While Dhoni and Rohit are legends with unmatched consistency and success, Shreyas Iyer brings a fresh model of leadership adaptive, sharp, and impactful across multiple teams.
While Dhoni continues to be the benchmark for leadership and team culture, Iyer is quickly rising as the most adaptable and forward-thinking captain in the IPL today
Written by RITESH SINGH
