Former Team India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath heaped praise on Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The cricketer-turned-commentator ranked Iyer just below legendary Indian leaders MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir in the captaincy hierarchy.
Iyer guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024. The middle-order batter then led Punjab Kings in 2025, taking the franchise to a runner-up finish after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He has built a strong reputation as one of the premier tactical minds in franchise cricket today.
Too Early to Compare Shreyas Iyer With MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma – Subramaniam Badrinath
Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, Subramaniam Badrinath acknowledged that comparing Shreyas Iyer to five-time champions like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma remains premature, but he placed the Punjab Kings skipper next in the overall hierarchy.
Your daily dose of cricket!
“It is a bit too early to compare him with legendary captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. They are at a different level and among the best Indian cricket has ever produced. These two have five titles each,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
“Shreyas still hasn’t won the number of titles, apart from the one with KKR, like these two legends. But he’s definitely up there. If you make a list of the best IPL captains, I’ll place him after MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir,” he added.
As a Young Captain, Shreyas Does It Beautifully – Subramaniam Badrinath
Shreyas Iyer boasts an impressive record as an IPL captain, securing 48 victories in 83 matches. Beyond making tactical field placements, franchise leadership also involves managing the dressing room, handling international cricketers, and answering to team owners.
Subramaniam Badrinath said that Iyer handles immense pressure at Punjab Kings, noting the challenge of balancing expectations from head coach Ricky Ponting and co-owner Preity Zinta.
“IPL captaincy is difficult. On one side, you’ve Ricky Ponting and Australian players. Then you have Indian players on another side. You have the team management, and Preity Zinta might ask a few questions, which you’ll have to answer. To handle all of this as a young captain, Shreyas does it beautifully.”
PBKS Is a Favourite of Many Indian Fans Because… – Subramaniam Badrinath
During the IPL 2025 season, Shreyas Iyer amassed 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, including six crucial half-centuries in the top order.
Badrinath credited Iyer for almost single-handedly carrying Punjab Kings to the final. He emphasized that delivering another prolific run-scoring season will be vital for Iyer to force his way back into the India T20I squad.
“PBKS is a favourite of many Indian fans because of their backing of Indian youngsters. Shreyas Iyer is seemingly the people’s leader. He captained brilliantly last year and also scored 604 runs, batting incredibly well.”
“He singlehandedly carried PBKS to a runners-up finish. This season as a batter will be important for him to break into the Indian T20I side.”
Also read: India tour of Ireland 2026 schedule revealed