PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer creates IPL history with milestone even MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma missed

Shreyas Iyer made IPL history, after Punjab Kings made it to the IPL 2025 playoffs.

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer creates IPL history with milestone even MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma missed

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer created a unique record with his new IPL franchise. (Image via News 18)

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer on Sunday (May 18) achieved a unique IPL milestone by becoming the first captain to guide three different teams to the playoffs. This new record sets him apart, even from legendary IPL skippers like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, after PBKS secured their spot in the 2025 IPL playoffs.

Shreyas Iyer is a player (and captain) who has often remained an unsung hero, despite his contributions. He played a vital role in India’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy victory, finishing as the second-highest scorer, yet his efforts were largely overlooked. Similarly, even as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 IPL season, their title win was attributed to mentor Gautam Gambhir, with Iyer’s role being overshadowed. 

Nonetheless, Iyer’s leadership journey in the IPL has been nothing short of remarkable. He first took over as captain of Delhi Capitals in the 2018 IPL season, leading them to the playoffs in 2019, becoming the youngest IPL captain to achieve this, at 23. The following season, he steered DC to their maiden IPL final, which they lost to Mumbai Indians, before the 30-year-old departed to join KKR in 2022.

After KKR released him following their 2024 IPL triumph, Shreyas Iyer sought a fresh opportunity and was named captain of Punjab Kings after they acquired him for a record-breaking sum of INR 26.75 crores. This move followed an exceptional domestic season for the right-handed batsman, during which he captained Mumbai to victories in both the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 2024 Irani Cup.

The 2025 IPL season, with Iyer at the helm for PBKS, has been impressive. Demonstrating his ability to revive under-performing franchises, he has scripted history by guiding Punjab to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. In a season where he has also excelled with the bat, scoring 435 runs in 12 matches, Iyer became the first player to lead three different IPL franchises into the playoffs, achieving a unique record.

Should PBKS manage to make it to the final this season, Iyer would also becoming the first player to captain three different teams in an IPL final. His latest playoff achievement places him ahead of legendary IPL-winning captains, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. While Dhoni and Sharma have each led their respective franchises to five IPL titles each, neither has captained more than one team to the play-offs.

Overall, Shreyas Iyer is only the fifth player to lead three different IPL franchises, joining the likes of Steve Smith, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Ajinkya Rahane. With a 55 percent win rate as an IPL captain, he has also strengthened his claim for a permanent place in the Indian team across all formats.

Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings clinch play-offs berth with thrilling 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals

Marking their eighth victory this season, Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings clinched a 2025 IPL play-offs berth with a thrilling 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals. PBKS had only returned to action on Sunday after the season resumed following a week-long break. 

Shreyas Iyer PBKS playoffs
Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS made it to the 2025 IPL playoffs with a win over RR. (via Hindustan Times)

PBKS posted a massive first innings total of 219 runs, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Nehal Wadhera top-scored for the visitors with a brilliant 70-run knock off just 37 balls, while Shashank Singh remained unbeaten at 59 runs off 30 balls. In response, the RR batting order fell through in the final stages of the chase, despite Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi scoring crucial knocks. 

PBKS spinner Harpreet Brar was named Man of his Match for his impressive bowling, as he returned with figures of 3/22 in his four-over spell. The 29-year-old claimed the crucial wickets of Jaiswal, Suryavanshi and Riyan Parag, derailing RR’s chase of the 220-run target.