Shreyas Iyer becomes first captain in IPL history to lead 3 different teams to playoffs

Star batter and Punjab Kings skipper, Shreyas Iyer, added another feather in his illustrious captaincy cap, as he is now the only captain in IPL history to lead three different teams to the playoff stage. Iyer achieved this ‘one of its kind’ feat after PBKS registered a narrow 10-run win against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Sunday, May 18.

With their eighth win in the tournament’s current edition, Punjab Kings have qualified for the playoffs after a long wait of 11 years since 2014. In the ongoing 18th edition, Shreyas Iyer’s men are placed in the third spot on the tournament standings, with eight wins and only three defeats, alongside a ‘no-result’ game.

They currently have 17 points to their name and are looking forward to ending as table toppers, with two successive wins in the last two games.

After DC and KKR, Punjab Kings enjoy Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy excellence

Speaking of Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the qualification of PBKS to the IPL 2025 playoffs is another accolade in his amazing ‘captaincy CV.’ Five years ago, in 2020, the 30-year-old led Delhi Capitals to the tournament’s final, where they lost to Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets and ended up as runners-up. Under Iyer’s leadership in IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals finished their league campaign being on second spot, with eight wins and six defeats in their 14 games.

Furthermore, as time moved forward, the Mumbai batter was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders, and he led the side to clinch the IPL 2024 title. It was in Iyer's captaincy that KKR ended their 10-year-long wait for an IPL title since they won it last in the 2014 edition.  

KKR had won nine out of their 14 league matches, while losing only three, alongside two no-result games in IPL 2025, followed by winning the first qualifier and final to win the title. However, the KKR still decided to part ways with Shreyas Iyer, and he was roped in by the Punjab Kings for the same role of captaincy.

The star batter didn’t disappoint the franchise and showcased his amazing leadership skills, which have also been reflected in the team’s performances throughout the ongoing IPL 2025 so far.