NewKerala.com

Suresh Raina Compares Shreyas Iyer's Captaincy to Mohammad Azharuddin: 'Fearless Leader'

Suresh Raina has praised Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, calling him a fearless leader. Iyer has led Punjab Kings to six wins in nine IPL 2026 matches. Raina compared Iyer's leadership style to former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Iyer has scored 328 runs in eight innings this season.

Key Points: Raina Lauds Shreyas Iyer's Fearless Captaincy, Compares to Azharuddin

  • Suresh Raina calls Shreyas Iyer a fearless captain
  • Iyer has led PBKS to six wins in nine IPL 2026 matches
  • Iyer has scored 328 runs at an average of 54.67
  • Raina compares Iyer's leadership style to Mohammad Azharuddin
2 min read

"He's been fearless as a captain": Suresh Raina lauds PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer

Suresh Raina praises Shreyas Iyer's fearless captaincy, comparing him to Mohammad Azharuddin. Iyer has led PBKS to six wins in nine IPL 2026 matches.

"He has been fearless as a captain and has led from the front. - Suresh Raina"

Mumbai, May 6

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, calling him a "fearless captain".

He made the remarks ahead of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) today at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Iyer has captained PBKS well in the IPL 2026 season so far, winning six of their nine encounters and losing two with one game ending in a no-result. He has led the team from the front and has been amongst the top scorers in the tournament. Iyer has scored 328 runs in eight innings at an average of 54.67.

Shreyas Iyer has impressed as a captain across franchises. He led Delhi Capitals to the IPL 2020 final, guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, and took Punjab Kings to the final in the 2025 season. And now in 2026, PBKS look set to finish in the final four.

Speaking on JioStar, Suresh Raina praised Shreyas Iyer as a fearless and impactful captain who brings a distinct style to every team he represents. He highlighted Iyer's strong communication, ability to back his players and confident body language.

Raina likened Iyer's qualities to former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and said his balance of composure with bold decision-making inspires confidence and promotes an aggressive approach from the team. "Wherever he has gone, whichever franchise he has played for, he has brought a different brand of cricket. He has been fearless as a captain and has led from the front. Be it Delhi, KKR or even Punjab, they played the final last year after a gap of 11 years. You can see why he is a good Captain, because the communication off the field seems to be brilliant," said Raina.

"He backs his players, and when you see him walk around with that swag, his body language reminds me of Azhar bhai. When Mohammad Azharuddin used to be the Captain, the players around him had a different level of confidence. Everyone has a different style of leadership, and with Shreyas, you get both composure and bold decision-making. When Punjab bat, you see them going all-out attack, and similarly with the bowling as well," he added.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
I remember watching Shreyas in the 2020 final - even though DC lost, his calmness under pressure was remarkable. It's great to see him evolving as a captain. The Azharuddin comparison is interesting too. Both have that elegant style but can be aggressive when needed. My only small critique is that sometimes he gets too defensive with his field placements, but overall, he's definitely one of the best captains in the IPL right now. #PBKS #IPL2026
P
Priya S
As a KKR fan, I'm still not over the 2024 title! Shreyas brought that aggressive brand of cricket to Eden Gardens. But now seeing him do the same for PBKS - it's just incredible. Raina's analysis about his communication skills is spot on. Indian cricket needs more leaders like him who can back players even when they fail. Maa chhodo, we need him in the Indian team setup at least as vice-captain for the next T20 WC! 🇮🇳🏏
R
Ryan S
The growth in Shreyas Iyer as a captain is remarkable to watch. From leading Delhi to their first final in 8 years to winning the title with KKR - he has that Midas touch. But I think we shouldn't forget that he's also been batting brilliantly. 328 runs at almost 55 average? That's a proper captain's contribution. The way he handles pressure in big moments will be key for PBKS in the playoffs.
A
Arun Y
Ab bas final jeetna hai! 🏆 PBKS fans have waited 11 years for a final appearance, and now thanks to Shreyas, we're on the verge of another playoff run. I completely agree with Raina - his body language is infectious. You can see the entire team playing with freedom because they know their captain has their back. That aggressive intent while batting and bowling is refreshing to

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50