Travesty if ignored’ – Ex-India Opener Backs Shreyas Iyer for India Captaincy Role amid IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is in full swing, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are making waves with their unbeaten start to the season. At the forefront of this success is Shreyas Iyer, the team’s skipper, who has been impressing with his captaincy and batting. Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has been vocal about Iyer’s capabilities, even going so far as to suggest he’s a contender for the India captaincy role.

Aakash Chopra, a former India cricketer, took to Twitter to express his admiration for Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and batting. He emphasized the importance of not ignoring Iyer’s skills and urged national selectors to consider him for the role. Iyer’s form in the IPL has been nothing short of impressive, and fans are taking notice.

But what has led Aakash Chopra and others to sing Shreyas Iyer’s praises? The stats from the Punjab Kings’ latest match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) tell a compelling story. Abhishek Sharma, the SRH batsman, scored a healthy 74 runs from 28 deliveries, but it was Iyer who led PBKS to chase down the 220-run target with seven deliveries to spare.

Stat Attack: Key Numbers That Highlight Shreyas Iyer’s Impressive Show

• Shreyas Iyer’s impressive batting and captaincy led Punjab Kings to a comfortable victory over SunRisers Hyderabad.
• Abhishek Sharma’s 74 runs from 28 deliveries showed the SRH player’s skills, but it was Iyer’s leadership that won the day.
• Punjab Kings’ successful chase of the 220-run target marked an unbeaten start to the IPL 2026 season.

Another key player who contributed to PBKS’ win was Arshdeep Singh. He took two wickets for PBKS, helping to restrict SRH’s batting lineup.

Shashank Singh’s Double Breakthrough: Turning Point for Punjab Kings

The PBKS bowler Shashank Singh had a memorable outing, taking two wickets for 20 runs, including a double breakthrough in one over. His impressive performance was a turning point in the match, allowing PBKS to build momentum and chase down the target with ease.

Meanwhile, the SRH openers, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, put on a 120-run partnership in 8.1 overs. Their impressive display was a testament to the SRH batting lineup’s strength.

Fans React: Social Media Outpouring of Support for Shreyas Iyer

The reaction from fans has been nothing short of overwhelming. Aakash Chopra’s tweet in support of Shreyas Iyer has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with fans weighing in on the former India cricketer’s claim. Some fans feel that Iyer has been consistently impressive in the IPL and warrants serious consideration for the India captaincy role.

Of course, others disagree, pointing to Iyer’s relatively limited experience at the international level. However, for now, it seems that the tide of public opinion is in favor of the Punjab Kings skipper.

Aakash Chopra’s Call to Action For National Selectors

The crux of Aakash Chopra’s argument is that Shreyas Iyer, having shown his skills in the IPL, is due for recognition at the highest level. The national selectors must consider Iyer for the India team, and a leadership role, he stresses. Iyer’s lack of experience, though, remains a concern for some fans and analysts.

For now, all eyes are on Shreyas Iyer as the Punjab Kings continue to ride the momentum of their impressive IPL 2026 start. Will this be the season that sees Iyer take the leap to the India captaincy role? Only time will tell.