Shreyas Iyer Makes IPL History: First Skipper to Enter IPL Playoffs With 3 Franchises

On Sunday, Shreyas Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams to the IPL playoffs. PBKS defeated RR and sealed their place in the playoffs for the IPL 2025 season.

Shreyas Iyer made history after Punjab Kings won against Rajasthan Royals and joined GT and RCB in the playoffs. The right-handed batter led Punjab to the playoffs after 11 years. In doing so, he became the only-ever captain to take three different franchises into the IPL playoffs.

Iyer’s History-Making Feat

Iyer first led Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2019, which hadn’t happened since 2012. The next year, he took DC to the final but they were defeated by Mumbai Indians. He skipped the 2023 season due to an injury.

In 2024, Iyer joined Kolkata Knight Riders and captained them to win the title. They last won the title in 2012 under the captaincy of the now Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir. However, KKR let Iyer go before the mega auction of 2025.

Then, Iyer was signed by Punjab Kings for a large sum of INR 26.75 crore and made captain of the team. He became the fifth player to captain three different teams. The other four are Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Australian star Steven Smith, and current KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane.

On Sunday, PBKS put up a target of 220, but RR could only manage 209 runs in 20 overs. Punjab won by 10 runs and qualified for the playoffs 2025.

PBKS Benefited from Iyer and Ponting

Iyes has come to be known as a captain who takes struggling teams and changes their fortune. DC had not been in the playoffs for 7 years before Iyer captained them. KKR had not won the title in over 10 years, and Punjab hadn’t made the playoffs since 2014. Punjab’s positive change is also thanks to Ricky Ponting joining the team as head coach.

Punjab Kings is currently in third position on the points table with 17 points. They are tied with RCB, who remain in second due to the higher NNR.

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