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Shreyas Iyer Aims to End Home Struggles in IPL 2026 Opener for PBKS

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer enters the IPL 2026 opener seeking to reverse a dismal home batting record from the previous season. Last year, he managed only 27 runs in five innings at the New Chandigarh venue despite leading PBKS to the final. In stark contrast, Iyer was prolific away from home, amassing 577 runs at a stunning average. The spotlight is on whether he can translate his overall leadership and run-scoring prowess to the home conditions in the campaign's first match.

Key Points: IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer's Home Form Key for Punjab Kings Opener

  • Iyer's poor 2025 home form
  • Contrast with stellar away record
  • PBKS reached final last season
  • Focus on IPL 2026 opener vs GT
2 min read

IPL 2026: Will PBKS skipper Iyer end dry run at home in campaign opener?

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer looks to overcome poor home batting form as Punjab Kings face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 season opener.

IPL 2026: Will PBKS skipper Iyer end dry run at home in campaign opener?
"Iyer was a menace away from home, scoring 577 runs in 12 innings at an average of 82.42 - Report"

New Chandigarh, March 31

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer will be aiming to overcome a tough run at home in the previous season and make it count at New Chandigarh in the Indian Premier League 2026 opener against Gujarat Titans.

Iyer led from the front with the bat and as a leader last season, guiding PBKS to their first final in 10 years, just a season after leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first title in a decade and overall third trophy. However, the PBKS captain failed to fire at the franchise's home venue in New Chandigarh.

During last year's season, Iyer could make just 27 runs across five innings at an average of 5.40 and a strike rate of 100.00, with a best score of 10. On the other hand, Iyer was a menace away from home, scoring 577 runs in 12 innings at an average of 82.42 and a strike rate of over 181. He smashed all his six fifties away from home.

In the previous season, Iyer had finished as the sixth-highest run-getter with 604 runs in 17 innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, with six fifties and best score of 97*.

Punjab Kings Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Ben Dwarshuis, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Lockie Ferguson, Vishnu Vinod, Praveen Dubey, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Vishal Nishad.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The stats are really worrying. 27 runs in 5 innings at home? That's not just a slump, it's a pattern. Hope he works on his mindset for the New Chandigarh pitch. The team needs him to fire at the fortress.
A
Aman W
Sometimes the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd gets to you. But with his experience, he should be able to turn it around. The squad looks solid, especially that bowling attack with Arshdeep and Chahal!
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I think the article is focusing too much on one player. Cricket is a team sport. PBKS has a great all-round squad with Stoinis and Omarzai. The opener will be about team performance, not just Iyer.
V
Vikram M
Yaar, the difference in his home and away average is shocking! 5.40 vs 82.42 😲. Maybe he should just pretend every match in Chandigarh is an away game! Jokes aside, hoping for a fiery start from the skipper.
K
Kavya N
He's a champion. Winning with KKR and then taking PBKS to the final shows his caliber. One bad phase at a specific ground doesn't define him. All the best for the new season! 🏏

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