Overview

• Iyer scored an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls in Qualifier 2 to guide Punjab Kings to their first IPL final in 11 years.
• He overturned pregame analytics by electing to bowl first at Ahmedabad, a bold call praised by assistant coach Brad Haddin.
• With 604 runs at a 175 strike rate, Iyer finished as PBKS’s top scorer and posted career-best numbers across formats this season.
• The BCCI omitted him from the five-match Test squad for England, a decision Sourav Ganguly criticized for ignoring Iyer’s pressure-handling and improved short-ball play.
• Back-to-back successful captaincy stints in IPL and domestic cricket have made Iyer a frontrunner in discussions for India’s next white-ball leadership.