In-form Shreyas Iyer's numbers stand tall, but will they carry Punjab Kings into playoffs?

DHARAMSHALA: The debate surrounding Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Indian T20I squad has moved beyond the realm of “what if” and into the territory of “when”. As the BCCI selectors look towards the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, the conversation is no longer about a sentimental recall; it is about rewarding one of the most complete individual campaigns of IPL-2026.

But then there’s also an inclination to let team results swallow individual narratives, and that’s the space Iyer currently occupies. On pure batting output, his IPL season has been among the most assured ones. He has scored 396 runs in 12 games at an average of 49.50 and a strike-rate of 164.32 so far. There have been five half-centuries to his name, four of which have come in winning causes.

But T20 captaincy is a results business, and Punjab Kings slipping into a losing streak has inevitably dulled the sheen of his contributions.

It’s not that Iyer’s impact has diminished in isolation; rather, it risks being reframed. In a format where momentum defines narratives, individual consistency often needs the platform of team success to be fully valued. Right now, Punjab’s campaign has reached that inflection point where Iyer’s role must expand. From being the team’s most reliable batter, he also needs to be the driver of outcomes.

The equation is stark. Wins in the final two league games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants don’t just keep playoff hopes alive for Punjab; they also restore context to Iyer’s season, turning it from a statistically strong run into a consequential one. Fail there, and the numbers may still stand, but the season could be remembered as one that promised more than it delivered.

Iyer’s season with the Punjab Kings has been a masterclass in middle-order management, effectively silencing critics who once doubted his temperament. In a league where brevity and brute force are often seen as the ultimate markers of “impact”, Iyer has redefined the term through sheer consistency and a new-found ability to dominate high-velocity chases.

The hallmark of Iyer’s season has been his “calming presence” at the crease. He hasn’t just scored runs, he has controlled some of the most difficult phases of a match while being at the crease. For a Punjab side that has often struggled with mid-innings collapses, Iyer has acted as the tactical heartbeat, anchoring the side through tall targets and pressure-cooker situations.

The stats also reflect a batter in his prime. By balancing a high average with a strike-rate that has consistently pressured opposition bowlers this year, Iyer has proven he can play the “finisher-anchor” role India currently lacks in the shortest format.