The journey of Panjab Kings in IPL is a roller-coaster ride since the IPL started in 2008. Although the team always had star players in it, but the consistency of the teams performance has raised concern.
The franchise, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, delivered their best performance in 2014 when they reached the final but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by three wickets in the title clash. Since the team is struggling to go beyond the group stage.
Determined to change their fortunes, Punjab Kings made bold moves in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction where they splurged on players like Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Welcoming the champion shers to the squad! 🦁#IPL2025 #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/4utY9wnv7O
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 17, 2025
The franchise has now handed the captaincy to Iyer, hoping his leadership will guide them to their first-ever IPL title. One of Punjab’s promising young talents, Prabhsimran Singh, who was retained for Rs 4 crore ahead of IPL 2025, believes Iyer could be the team’s lucky charm this season.
“Shreyas has been an amazing leader. Punjab have been waiting for its maiden title for a long time, and I’m sure that wait will end with Shreyas in the team. He will be a lucky charm for us,” Prabhsimran told TimesofIndia.com.
“We have a new team, and it looks solid. We’d all want him to bring that luck and help us secure our first IPL trophy,” he added.
Why Iyer is a good choice for Panjab?
Shreyas Iyer has demonstrated his leadership capabilities by guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title victory in 2024. He also led Delhi Capitals to the IPL final in 2020. These facts, along with his domestic cricket leadership, show that he is a player that can lead teams to high levels of competition.
He has now made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to captain three different IPL franchises. This highlights his reputation as a highly sought-after leader.
The fact that he will be reuniting with head coach Ricky Ponting, is a very positive aspect. They have worked together in the past, and that established relationship will be a large asset to the team.
While Iyer’s leadership is a major boost, the team’s overall performance will depend on the collective effort of the players. Building a strong team dynamic and executing strategies effectively will be crucial.
Shreyas Iyer’s arrival at Punjab Kings has generated a wave of optimism. Whether he truly becomes the “lucky charm” remains to be seen.
Tiyasa is an enthusiastic journalist with a passion for uncovering the truth and stating them in a compelling story. Whether it's chasing a breaking news story or crafting a deeply researched feature, she believes in the power of words to inform, entertain, and inspire. Apart from writing, she has a passion for learning different languages. When not chasing the deadlines, you can find her engrossed in either books or drama or listening to music, maybe even brainstorming for her next article over a cup of coffee.
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