Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has hailed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer as the most “improved” batsman over the past year and believes he is now “ready” for all formats of international cricket. Iyer’s resurgence comes after being dropped from the BCCI’s central contract list for the 2023-24 season. Despite the setback, the 30-year-old worked hard at the domestic level, which paid off with a return to international cricket filled with confidence and form.
Iyer, who had a strong showing during India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign, has continued his rich vein of form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. In the IPL opener against Gujarat Titans, he played a match-winning innings of 97* and showed remarkable maturity, adapting to his former nemesis: short-pitched deliveries. This display of dominance was an example of Iyer’s evolution as a batter, having worked extensively on overcoming his weaknesses.
Sourav Ganguly, impressed by Iyer’s transformation, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his admiration. He wrote, “Shreyas Iyer the most improved batsman in the last 1 year… ready for all formats. Great to see his improvement after a few issues on length.”
Iyer’s approach to the game has been built on his hard work and adaptability. When he was nearing his maiden IPL century in the match against Gujarat Titans, Iyer put his team’s success ahead of personal milestones. As fatigue set in, he asked his teammate Shashank Singh to go for the boundaries in the final over, ensuring Punjab Kings reached a mammoth total of 243/5. His selflessness and determination to secure a victory were key factors in their narrow 11-run win over Gujarat.
Beyond his IPL exploits, Shreyas Iyer’s performance in domestic cricket further highlights his resurgence. During his last Ranji Trophy season, he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he accumulated 345 runs, becoming the fourth-highest run-scorer in the competition. His exceptional performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored an astonishing 325 runs at a perfect average of 325.00, further cements his status as a player in prime form.
Shreyas Iyer’s journey from adversity to success has made him one of the most dependable batsmen in Indian cricket today, and with his continued form, he looks poised for a prominent future in all formats.