Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has sent a blunt warning to the head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar after Shreyas Iyer’s another dominant performance both as Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain and batter in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Shreyas Iyer is leading the Punjab Kings from the front and changing the full story of his team this season. After their dominant seven-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 16, PBKS are now looking like one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer’s heroics power PBKS to top spot after crushing MI in IPL 2026
It was a complete one-sided show. Chasing a big total of 196, Punjab Kings finished the match in just 16.3 overs with seven wickets in hand, thanks to Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh’s brilliant fifties. They completely broke the Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack and finished the match in style.
With this win, PBKS have now reached the top of the points table with four wins in their first five matches. The captain played a superb innings of 66 runs from just 35 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
This was his third fifty in a row this season. He is not just scoring runs but controlling the game with full authority. Additionally, Iyer’s impact as a captain has been massive.
Shreyas Iyer transforms Punjab Kings into fearless title contenders
After being signed for a record ₹26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, the right-handed batter has completely changed the mindset of the franchise. Punjab Kings, who had not reached the playoffs since 2014, are now playing fearless cricket and looking like real title contenders.
In IPL 2025, the Mumbaikar already ended an 11-year wait by taking PBKS to the final, where they lost a close match to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Now in the ongoing 2026 season, Iyer’s captaincy looks top-notch with better planning and strong performances.
Iyer is already the only captain to lead three different teams—PBKS, DC, and KKR—into the IPL final. His winning percentage is also among the best, showing how successful he has been as a leader. Cricket experts are praising his captaincy style, especially how he uses his bowlers smartly and trusts young players in big moments.
Ignoring Shreyas Iyer could hurt Team India: Ravichandran Ashwin warns selectors
Following the MI vs PBKS game, Ravichandran Ashwin has demanded the selection of Iyer in India’s T20I side and leadership group. Despite such strong performances, Iyer has been out of India’s T20 team since 2023. And Ashwin has now made it clear that ignoring a player in this kind of form can be a big loss for the Indian cricket team.
The former Indian off-spinner also mentioned how Iyer evolved his game, taking his strike rate to the next level, and he is even now playing short balls with ease, so selectors should not make this an issue to overlook him for T20I selection.
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “His range is exceptional, and his levers are great; he extends through the shot to send the ball a long way. Ignore Shreyas Iyer at your own peril. Even after doing all these things, if he isn’t in the scheme of things or doesn’t come to India’s leadership group, then it’s their loss, not Shreyas’s.”
