Shreyas Iyer has emerged as one of the biggest talking points of ipl 2026Not only for his explosive batting but also for the quiet authority with which he has led punjab kings On top of the points table. Before the important match against Punjab Kings Rajasthan Royals In Match 40 in Mullanpur on Tuesday, former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara RR shared his thoughts on how the PBKS captain can be stopped, describing Iyer as “almost unstoppable” after settling in at the crease.
Punjab are unbeaten so far and sit comfortably on top with 13 points from seven matches, but Iyer has played a huge role in the team’s success. His leadership has been sharp, while his batting has been fearless, aggressive and highly effective in pressure situations.
Shreyas Iyer dominates IPL 2026 campaign
Iyer’s performances this season have answered many critics, especially those who often questioned his ability against short-pitched bowling. Rather than looking weak, the right-handed batsman looks in complete control and faces pace and spin with equal confidence.
So far, in six innings, he has scored 279 runs at an excellent average of 69.75 and an explosive strike rate of 186.00. His account already includes four half-centuries, and more importantly, many of those runs have come in match-defining situations. He has played the role of finisher brilliantly and guided Punjab in challenging run chases, including a successful chase of 200-plus. His ability to withstand pressure and then accelerate has made him one of the most dangerous middle-order batsmen this season.
More than the numbers, it is the confidence with which he bats that is most special. Whether rebuilding an innings or finishing the game, Iyer has looked like a batsman who is in complete control of his game.
Cheteshwar Pujara reveals RR’s gameplan to dismiss Iyer
Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara stressed that Rajasthan Royals should target Iyer early and not give him time to settle down. According to him, the first 10 to 15 balls that Iyer faces are the most important phase for the opposition team. If RR fails to pick up his wicket in that window, the contest could end quickly.
Pujara suggested that the RR captain Riyan Parag should immediately turn to their strike bowlers, especially the speedsters jofra archer and leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi. He noted that Archer’s pace and bounce could test Iyer before he gets comfortable, while Bishnoi’s wicket-taking ability in the middle overs could create pressure, even though Iyer is considered strong against spin. According to Pujara, the idea is simple – attack him before he gets the rhythm.
“Try to use Jofra Archer early on if you can; if he has a few overs left, try to use Ravi Bishnoi too whenever possible. And we’ve seen that Shreyas is a good player of spin, but you still need to use your wicket-taking options, and both Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi are the ones Riyan Parag should go to,” Pujara explained.
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Why does Pujara believe that Iyer becomes invincible?
Praising the PBKS captain, Pujara said that Iyer is batting at his peak at the moment and is leading from the front. He said that Iyer is setting the standard for the rest of Punjab’s batting unit and instilling confidence in the entire dressing room. His aggressive intent and smart shot selection have made him one of the most reliable batsmen of the tournament. Pujara believes that once settled in the early stages, the bowlers have no answers as Iyer adapts quickly and dominates the game.
“He (Shreyas Iyer) is in his prime, the way he is batting. He is leading from the front. I think Shreyas Iyer is setting the example for the rest of the batsmen. So for RR, I think it is important that when he comes to bat they try to take his wicket early, and RR have to make sure that they create that opportunity in the first 10-15 balls which Shreyas has to face. Because once he’s set, he’s almost invincible,” Added Pujara.
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