How Sarpanch Shreyas joined the India captaincy race this IPL
What has been the most staggering takeaway of this IPL season? According to one of Indian cricket's influential decision-makers it has been the emergence of Shreyas Iyer, the leader. On the eve of the final, gazing well beyond the RCB vs Punjab Kings title clash, the official would say: 'Right now he just plays ODIs but after this IPL we can't keep him out of T20 internationals and even Tests. Plus he also has now officially joined the white-ball captaincy race.'
Welcome to Indian cricket, where one exceptional IPL can alter opinions and change perspectives. At the start of 2024, Shreyas didn't have BCCI's central contract. That same year, he wasn't among the 15 picked for the T20 World Cup, not even among the 4 standbyes. His dreadful 2024 would wrap up with KKR refusing to retain him – the defending IPL champions shockingly putting their winning captain on sale at the auction.
Subsequently, at Punjab Kings, Shreyas would find a new home, and a lot more. A swagger, aura and one delightfully North Indian term of endearment – to name a few. His famous gangsta walk with subtle head turns and shoulder shuffles, the reassuring non-plussed presence during crunch situations made his teammates call him Sarpanch Sahab – the village headman.
Till that Mumbai Indians Eliminator, where Shreyas played the knock of his life – some are calling it IPL's best-ever – the Punjab Kings captain had been having a reasonably successful season. He had runs, nothing new there, but now there were whispers of him exuding authority even when he didn't have a bat in hand. A puppet in the hands of his coach – Gautam Gambhir at KKR and now Ricky Ponting. All that sounds so ancient and utterly preposterous now.
A 1⃣1⃣ year wait ends… 🥹#PBKS are in the #TATAIPL 2025 Final and who better than Captain Shreyas Iyer to take them through ❤
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/vILymKxqXp
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025
That night at Ahmedabad, Shreyas would shake off that rumour of him being a remote-control captain for good. At the world's biggest cricket stadium he led by example. There were a couple of incidents from that game that announced his big league arrival.
First he defanged Jasprit Bumrah, showcasing the subtle skill of diverting that famous yorker beyond the boundary line. Wickets fell at the other end, but he didn't panic. A close game that MI's Galacticos are known to win, was lost, just because Shreyas didn't flinch. He kept hitting sixes – be it Bumrah or the rookie left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar. Once the job was done, he didn't go overboard or step out of his character. Coolness didn't leave him, it just multiplied. He spit out the well-chewed gum, shook hands with the rivals and casually stepped off the pitch – his exit from the spotlight as everyday as a 9-to-5 employee logging out after a busy shift.
The other less-noticed captain-like act was his cold stare and harsh words to Shashank Singh, whose run-out at a crucial time had almost jeopardised the chase. He didn't get carried away in the euphoria of the dramatic win. He had to make a point to an important member of his team. And he did.
That day the Shreyas-cult grew. As it happens in all such moments, the myth-making machinery came alive. From the Punjab Kings camp, stories about the newest Captain Cool would emerge. A 'comic influencer' hired by the franchise, Piyush Sharma aka Banker OP, would record a fun reaction vlog with famous youtuber Tanmay Bhat. Like a true fan boy, he would share what Shreyas did once he reached the hotel that night.
'Woh bahut passionate hai, usko bus trophy jeetni hai, uska ek match jitne ka hisaab nahi hai. (He's very passionate, his focus is on winning the trophy. His calculation isn't about just winning one match),' says Sharma. His recollection doesn't end there. 'We all are cheering but he remains unaffected. There is cake cutting, drinks and a party too. His relatives too were around. He did the formality of cutting the cake and said 'ok, I am going to my room to sleep'.'
ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer: The monk who cruises in his Ferrari
Sports reserves a remarkable fascination for the understated elegance of its heroes. Inexpressiveness of stars is seen as a virtue. This is what made MS Dhoni endlessly intriguing. Reading Mahi's mind, till date, remains a national obsession. But Shreyas is not a Dhoni. Nor can he be compared to a Rohit or a Virat. He is a one-of-a-kind cricketer with many contradictions.
The boy from Worli grew up in a home that wakes up to the tunes of the Vishnu Sahasranamam and where non-vegetarian food needs to be consumed outside the front door. But he has unconventional tastes and hobbies for an Iyer next door. He is easily the most accomplished Indian cricketer on the dance floor ever, an amateur magician and has tattooed a lion on his shoulder.
𝙄.𝘾.𝙔.𝙈.𝙄
Enjoy glimpses of a Shreyas Iyer Special in Ahmedabad as he remained unbeaten on 97*(42) 👏
Updates ▶ https://t.co/PYWUriwSzY#TATAIPL | #GTvPBKS | @PunjabKingsIPL | @ShreyasIyer15 pic.twitter.com/6Iez7wJ2r6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 25, 2025
The Iyers are a close-knit family where parents take pride in narrating the pranks their children play on them to visitors. When The Indian Express visited their home once, the father spoke of how Shreyas was in the habit of fooling them on phone. He once faked an English accent to check if his father was traveling to the UK to watch his son play a county game. When his mother is in the kitchen, Shreyas's 'what's cooking' inquiry is unique: 'Aaj kya bigaad rahi ho (what meal are you spoiling today)'. But still Shreyas might be the only Indian cricketer who still gets dropped to the airport by both his parents.
A cricketer who has had more than his share of hardships, setbacks and unfair snubs; Shreyas has seen it all. His father once shared a low-point of his son's life. Shreyas sat on the living room couch, on the verge of breaking down, wondering why he couldn't score runs. 'Why don't you give up on cricket?' he asked his son. Shreyas got angry, saying how can he even think of it. The passion would help him survive and he would make it to the Indian team. But still there are days when cricket truly frustrates him.
In a recent podcast, he spoke about an episode in the net session at the start of Champions Trophy. Not satisfied with his batting, failing to find his touch, Shreyas was uncontrollably sobbing after his batting stint. The next day, his batting improved and so did his mood. The interviewer asks him if he has a friend who he can call when the chips are down and he wants to rant. 'I may sound condescending but I don't need to call. In the last 10 years, I have seen everything. I have got answers for everything,' he says.
Though, his friends are there for him for a very uniquely different task. On Shreyas's instructions, they send him a new English word everyday so he can increase his vocabulary. Superfluous, sinecure and talisman are the recent additions to his personal word bank, he says with pride.
Shreyas is a one-of-a-kind. Once during this IPL he was asked about the preparation of his team. It's a query that deserves a cliche but not when Shreyas has the mic in hand. 'We need to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's,' he said. In 2025, the dotting and crossing has been finally done. This IPL, Shreyas became the Sarpanch. He has acted like a headman and he would hope that his village will be the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Three days after Bengaluru stampede, cricket association secretary & treasurer step down on moral grounds
Bengaluru: Days after the horrific stampede outside the city's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in which 11 people were killed and 75 injured, the secretary and treasurer of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the disaster. Secretary A Shankar and treasurer AE Jairam tendered their resignations late Friday to association president Raghuram Bhat. On Saturday, Shankar and Jairam issued a joint press statement confirming their decision. "Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, though our role was very limited, we are taking moral responsibility. We have submitted our resignations from our respective posts as secretary and treasurer of KSCA," the statement read. At the emergency managing committee meeting on Saturday, which a majority of members opted to attend virtually, the duo's resignation was accepted. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bhat, a former India spinner, explained: "The committee acknowledged the contribution of the secretary and treasurer and accepted their resignation." Asked if the rest of the office-bearers would also resign, Bhat said: "The committee will not be dissolved as of now. We are offering our full support to the investigating authorities." While KSCA polls are scheduled for Oct, the association has to convene an SGM within 45 days and elect a secretary and treasurer for the rest of the term. Until such time, the managing committee will run the show. Shankar and Jairam, both well-known chartered accountants, held the honorary positions for the past two and a half years. Their resignations come amid growing public anger and mounting pressure from various quarters demanding accountability from the cricketing body over the stampede. An FIR was filed against the two, along with some other KSCA officials, following Wednesday's sordid incident that prompted chief minister Siddaramaiah to order the arrest of KSCA officials responsible for the incident. With police on the hunt, Shankar and Jairam approached Karnataka high court on Friday, seeking anticipatory bail. The petition, which also named KSCA president Bhat, argued that the association and its office-bearers were not directly liable for what had happened. While the court granted interim protection from arrest, the resignations of Shankar and Jairam are being seen as a symbolic acceptance of moral responsibility. Will the international calendar hold? The prevailing circumstances have put a question mark on the preparedness of the state association for a hectic international calendar ahead, during which, Bengaluru is set to host the ICC Women's 50-over World Cup, with the opening match featuring India to be held in the city on Sept 30, apart from one semifinal (on Oct 30). The final on Nov 2 is scheduled to be held in either Bengaluru or Colombo (if Pakistan qualify). KSCA is also scheduled to host a three-match one-day series between India A and South Africa A from Nov 13-19. The crowd surge inside and the stampede outside on Wednesday left the stadium's exteriors and a section of the stands severely damaged, and it will be a race against time for the venue to be put back in shape. Govt increases compensation The state govt has increased the compensation from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for the families of those killed in the stampede. The govt also said it was committed to providing free treatment to those injured. The opposition parties and the public had criticised the govt for initially announcing a Rs 10 lakh compensation, alleging that the state govt paid Rs 25 lakh to the kin of a man who was killed in Kerala after being attacked by a Karnataka elephant.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
US coach Mauricio Pochettino says 'We're going to have the possibility to win the World Cup'
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — A third straight loss didn't prevent Mauricio Pochettino from thinking big. 'We need to believe. We need to compete like today and for sure we're going to have the possibility to win the World Cup,' the U.S. coach said after the Americans lost their third straight game, wasting an early lead in a 2-1 defeat to Turkey in a friendly on Saturday. Jack McGlynn scored 59 seconds in for the U.S., which was missing many regulars as Pochettino revamped his roster following a dismal performance at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March. Turkey took advantage of a sloppy defense as Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored in a 2-minute, 20-second span midway through the first half. While the U.S. had 60% possession and outshot Turkey 13-11, the Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino, who took over after first-round elimination at last year's Copa America led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. They have lost three straight for the second time in a year. 'Today, who is going to tell me, oh, we showed lack of, we showed lack of — lack of what today?' said Pochettino, a 53-year-old from Argentina who coached Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. 'The team showed what needed to show. ... Playing in this way, they are going to win most of the games.' Coaching a nation that hasn't reached the World Cup semifinals since 1930 or the quarterfinals since 2022, Pochettino changed eight starters from the Nations League loss to Canada in March and kept only left back Max Arfsten, winger Diego Luna and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Some guys that are coming in — and they're not thinking twice about taking someone on. It's not playing safe. It's like, let's take risks and try to go after this thing,' said midfielder Tyler Adams, who entered at the start of the second half. 'I think having fresh faces, guys that aren't fearless, young guys, that's going to help us.' With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the U.S. plays Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then opens the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15. 'I am really sad because I think this group of players are working so hard and I think we deserve better result today,' Pochettino said. 'I think we performed well. I think we're brave enough. I think the attitude was: Go and press, match in every single aspect a team like Turkey that is one of the best teams in the last year in Europe.' Defender Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman, started in his U.S. debut. Matt Freese, a starter at Major League Soccer's New York City, made his debut in goal. Matt Turner, the usual starter since 2022, didn't play for Crystal Palace after March 1. Midfielder Quinn Sullivan and defender Nathan Harriel made debuts as 65th-minute substitutes. McGlynn scored when he ran onto a pass from Malik Tilman, took several touches, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inside the far post for his second goal in five international appearances. It was the earliest U.S. goal since Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds in against Canada during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Turkey tied it in the 24th minute when Freese tapped the ball to Johnny Cardoso, whose pass ricocheted off a leg and past Freese for Güler's fifth international goal. Then in the 27th, Miles Robinson tried to clear Oğuz Aydın's shot and the ball went to Aktürkoğlu, who one-timed a bouncing shot past Freese for his 12th international goal and sixth in eight games. 'Of the goals that we concede, that created a big mess on the team,' Pochettino said. soccer: /hub/soccer
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Netherlands Secure Comeback Win Over India In European Leg Of FIH Pro League
The Netherlands secured the winning goal two minutes before the final whistle through Van Dam Thijs (58th minute), who also scored the equalizing goal in the 25th minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the first penalty corner of the match in the 19th minute to give India the lead. India began the match strongly, dominating possession with crisp passing despite the Netherlands' high press. While the first eight minutes didn't pose any real threats to goal from either side, India got an opportunity soon after, as they won the ball in the Dutch circle. Dilpreet Singh's reverse hit was blocked at close range by Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser. At the other end, the Netherlands threatened late in the first quarter as Thierry Brinkman approached the right flank, but the Indian defense stood firm to avert the danger. The Netherlands came out with intent in the second quarter, with Steijn van Heijningen testing Suraj Karkera in the 17th minute, but the Indian goalkeeper blocked the effort. India responded with purpose and earned a penalty corner after Dilpreet was impeded by a stick challenge inside the circle. Captain Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a powerful, low shot to give India the lead. As the second quarter progressed, India exhibited a tight defensive formation, but the home team managed to get the breakthrough in the 25th minute with Thijs van Dam finding the equalizer, leaving the scores at 1-1 before halftime. As the second half began, India's strong passing game was central to proceedings, but the visitors struggled with a lack of clear scoring opportunities and shots on goal. To break the deadlock, India attempted to bypass the midfield with long aerial balls, but the Dutch defense was up to the task. At the other end, the Netherlands grew increasingly assertive, posing more challenges for the Indian backline, though the scores remained 1-1 after a tepid third quarter. The Netherlands had the lion's share of possession in the final quarter, and the hosts made it count. Thijs van Dam struck again in the 58th minute, making the most of a well-placed pass into the circle. With a deft first touch to control, he followed up with a fierce strike, ensuring victory for the Netherlands. India will face the Netherlands again on Monday in the second match of the European leg. India played the home leg of the ongoing Pro League in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, where they amassed 15 points with five wins in eight games.
