India’s middle-order batter and Punjab Kings (PBSK) captain, Shreyas Iyer, is looking like a completely different player in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). The way Shreyas Iyer is batting right now, it feels like everything is going in his and the Punjab Kings’ favor.

The PBKS captain has brilliantly carried his batting strength from the IPL 2025 to this season. Iyer’s confidence, his body language, and his control at the crease are making a big difference, and it is helping PBKS win matches in the ongoing tournament.

Ravichandran Ashwin impressed by Shreyas Iyer’s dominance in IPL 2026

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was highly impressed by Shreyas Iyer’s transformation. He pointed out that this is not just about runs or big shots but about the way he is carrying himself on the ground. Even before facing a ball, his presence gives a strong message to the opposition.

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Ashwin feels Iyer is currently in that rare phase where everything just works perfectly, saying his timing, confidence, and decision-making look spot on. The numbers prove that Iyer has so far scored 50, 69*, and 66 in his last three innings at an impressive rate of nearly 188 in IPL 2026.

The former Indian all-rounder also pointed out Iyer’s approach towards his weaknesses has changed this season. Earlier, there were questions about his ability against short-pitched bowling, but now, he is taking on that challenge instead of avoiding it.

Shreyas has embarked on the journey of becoming great player: Ashwin

And Ashwin hailed Shreyas Iyer for showing intent to improve his weakness and believes that this mindset can make him a great player. He also pointed out how bowlers are also changing their plans against him. Since he is handling short balls better, they are trying different lines, but Iyer is adjusting quickly and finding ways to score, and it has become even more dangerous.

Ravichandran Ashwin was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “I personally think Shreyas has embarked on the journey of going from being good to being great. And I’m not saying he is great. I’m saying it’s a journey. It has been said that he can’t play the short ball.

He said, ‘Okay, I’ll pull the short ball in a Test match and get out, but I’m not shying away from the contest.’ Pulling Jasprit Bumrah from front of square over midwicket for a six. That’s probably inspirational to a lot of cricketers watching the game.”

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The commentator added, “And then he is hitting fast bowlers down the ground. He has always been very good at hitting it down the ground. But why is he doing it? Because people are not bowling short to him anymore. They know he is putting it away. And that’s sensational.”

Shreyas Iyer growing stronger in captaincy role: Ashwin

Ashwin feels Iyer has created a simple and friendly team environment, and then his batting form is lifting his captaincy as PBKS shine with strong results since he took over the reins.

The former off-spinner signed off by saying, “He is growing into the role of being a leader. And I think the way he is batting, he is growing into the role of a leader that the players are looking up to, which is a lethal combination.”

Rajasthan Royals’ experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja expressed his true opinion on youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been praised for his exceptional talent and effortless ability to hit sixes.

The Rajasthan Royals faced a massive bump in their winning streak during their last fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, one of the most dominant teams in the competition now takes on one of the weakest-looking sides of the competition so far.

The Kolkata Knight Riders are in need of a victory to give themselves some chances to bounce back in this edition of the competition. The Knight Riders are the only team without a single win in this edition of the competition.

Ravindra Jadeja boldly declares Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as RR’s lucky charm

Ravindra Jadeja arrives with the Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens, a ground and an opposition where he has had considerable success in the past. Speaking to Jadeja, the veteran all-rounder was heaping praise on their team’s biggest attraction, the 15-year-old star kid from Bihar.

The Indian great opined that the Royals are blessed to have him on their side, and the way he bats with sheer confidence has been shocking for his age. He further stated that he will improve further and will be a great positive for India.

“I think we’re lucky to have him on our team (Vaibhav Sooryvanshi); he bats well and possesses immense confidence for his young age. My opinion hasn’t changed—from the first time I saw him, he continues to hit big sixes. He’ll improve skill-wise and talent-wise as time goes on, which is a good thing for India in the future,” said Jadeja.

“I think as a batter when we’re batting, and the same applies to bowling” – Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was moved from the Chennai Super Kings to the Rajasthan Royals as part of a massive trade deal. However, after the way Ravindra Jadeja has been used by Riyan Parag, his role has been questionable despite being part of the XI.

However, Jadeja claimed that he plays as per the requirements of the team; if they need him to bat well, he does, and if they want him to focus with the ball, he thinks accordingly.

“I play according to the team’s requirements: I think as a batter when we’re batting, and the same applies to bowling. As an all-rounder, my job isn’t easy because the team expects me to do well with both bat and ball. My record against KKR, as you said, is good, and I hope to do well today as well,” the Royals all-rounder claimed.

Jadeja claims that it is tough to manage the workload as an all-rounder

Ravindra Jadeja is no longer a youngster; however, he has been fit and promising even for his age. The great all-rounder revealed that it is important for players like him to decide on what to focus on, as they cannot bat and bowl all within that one session.

“As an all-rounder, you have to decide whether to focus on bowling or batting during training sessions. You must keep the workload in mind and can’t do everything in a single session. I made the decision to split in half so that my workload is balanced,” Jadeja said on managing his workload as an all-rounder.

Having batted twice this season, Jadeja has scored 76 runs in this edition for the Royals, but his strike rate has been low, with just 118.75. He has picked up three wickets in the season, despite being handed the ball a limited number of times by the skipper, Riyan Parag.

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Varun Chakravarthy, who has had a very troubled season since the knockouts of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, has shown glimpses of promising form as KKR took on Rajasthan Royals at their home ground in the Eden Gardens.

Kolkata Knight Riders have constantly struggled with the ball in this season of the IPL. Though their batters have not shown promising form, they have managed to pull some good scores, which the bowlers have failed to defend.

This led to KKR not winning a single game in the season and still searching for their maiden victory after having played five matches this season. However, what has been disappointing was the performance from their leading wicket-taker over the past few seasons, Varun Chakravarthy.

Varun Chakravarthy regains form with stupendous bowling figures against RR

Varun Chakravarthy did not have form going his way since the Super 8 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, when he failed to perform for India with the ball. Despite that, he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the World Cup.

Coming back to the IPL, Chakravarthy struggled to bowl well and show promising form, as he was thrashed by the batters in their first two games of the season. Following that, he picked up an injury and missed two matches for the Knights.

Returning in the previous game, Chakravarthy picked up two wickets against the Gujarat Titans, where he dismissed the likes of Jos Buttler and Washington Sundar to keep the Knights in the game until the final over of the game.

Chakravarthy returned with some confidence behind his back to the Eden Gardens. In the den of the Knights, he ran a rampage, dismissing three of RR’s most handy batters. He provided the breakthrough with Vaubhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket and then tricked Dhruv Jurel and skipper Riyan Parag as well. He finished with stunning figures of 3/14 in his 4 overs.

Varun Chakravarthy’s new T20 record

Indian bowlers with great T20 records are nothing new to be witnessed; however, Varun Chakravarthy has earned a record for himself as he completed 200 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

The spinner plays the domestic T20s for his state team, while representing India internationally and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He has also featured in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, and all wickets taken will be taken into consideration.

In his new record feat, he is the second-fastest to 200 T20 wickets among Indian bowlers and is only behind the Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh. He left behind the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mohammed Shami.

Fastest to 200 T20 Wickets (Indians):

• Arshdeep Singh – 151 matches
• Varun Chakravarthy – 155 matches
• Kuldeep Yadav – 160 matches
• Jaydev Unadkat -162 matches
• Mohammed Shami – 165 matches

Will the RR match be the rise of a new dawn for KKR?

The most successful bowler for KKR helped them make a strong comeback with the ball and was backed marvelously by Sunil Narine and the young Indian pacer Kartik Tyagi, who also picked crucial wickets in the match.

Kolkata have managed to restrict them to a total of 155 in their 20 overs, which is a massive positive for the weakest bowling side of this edition of the IPL. This might be the first handsome chance for the Knights to register their maiden victory of the season.

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