NewKerala.com

Key Points

Aaron Finch commends Shreyas Iyer's leadership at Punjab Kings, calling him a "terrific young leader." Iyer, who led KKR to the 2024 IPL title, has seamlessly transitioned to PBKS. His batting and captaincy have been instrumental in Punjab's improved performance this season. With playoffs in sight, PBKS faces a crucial match against Rajasthan Royals.

Key Points: Aaron Finch Praises Shreyas Iyer's Leadership at Punjab Kings

  • Finch highlights Iyer's adaptability in new PBKS setup
  • Iyer's leadership crucial for Punjab's playoff push
  • PBKS secured Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore after KKR release
  • Punjab eyes maiden IPL title under Iyer's guidance
2 min read

He's been fantastic: Aaron Finch hails Shreyas Iyer's leadership at Punjab Kings

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch lauds Shreyas Iyer's seamless transition and impact at PBKS after leaving KKR.

"He's been fantastic - just as he was at KKR. Shreyas is a terrific young leader. - Aaron Finch"

New Delhi, May 18

Shreyas Iyer's move to Punjab Kings (PBKS) has proven to be one of the standout stories of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, with the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain showcasing remarkable leadership and form in a new environment. His impact has not gone unnoticed, as former Australia skipper and JioStar expert Aaron Finch heaped praise on Iyer's seamless transition and commanding presence.

"He's been fantastic - just as he was at KKR. Shreyas is a terrific young leader," Finch said on JioHotstar.

"Leaving a title-winning side would have hurt, but to carry forward that leadership success into a completely different setup shows his versatility," he added.

After leading KKR to the IPL title in 2024, Iyer was surprisingly released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 auction. Punjab Kings capitalised on the opportunity, securing his services for a staggering Rs 26.75 crore, a move that now looks like a masterstroke.

"It's a new team, a new coach, yet he's adapted brilliantly," Finch said.

"His batting, especially away from home, has been top-notch. Overall, he's been excellent for the Kings - both as a leader and a player," he noted.

Under Iyer's calm and assured leadership, Punjab Kings have shed their past inconsistencies and found a renewed sense of purpose and direction. With a playoff spot still within reach, they will face the already-eliminated Rajasthan Royals in the sweltering heat of Jaipur on Sunday, a crucial test in their march towards the playoffs.

Punjab needs two victories to stay in the hunt for its maiden IPL title. Third-placed PBKS will resume its campaign against the beleaguered Rajasthan, which is threadbare at the second-bottom spot in the points table.

Punjab is bereft of the Australian pair of Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis since the resumption of the tournament.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

Here are 5 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rahul K.
Shreyas Iyer proving his worth yet again! 💪 KKR made a big mistake letting him go. PBKS finally have a proper leader after so many years of musical chairs with captains. His calmness under pressure is exactly what Punjab needed.
P
Priya M.
As a Mumbai girl, always proud of Shreyas! But I do feel bad for KKR fans - he gave them their first trophy in years and then they let him go. Hope PBKS can win it this season to justify that huge price tag. The way he's handling the team without Stoinis shows real leadership.
A
Amit S.
Finch is right about his leadership but let's not forget his batting form! That century against CSK was pure class. Though I wonder if PBKS overpaid - 26 crore is massive money even for someone like Iyer. Hope he can take them to playoffs at least.
N
Neha T.
Finally PBKS looks like a proper team rather than just a collection of players! Shreyas has brought that winning mentality from KKR. But the real test will be the playoffs - hope they don't choke like previous seasons. #SherAayaPunjab
V
Vikram J.
Respect to Iyer for handling this transition so well. Must have been tough leaving a champion team. But honestly, KKR's loss is PBKS's gain! His captaincy reminds me of Dhoni - stays cool and makes smart decisions. Hope he gets back to Indian team soon.

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50