As the Indian Premier League continues to evolve into one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged sporting leagues in the world, certain narratives consistently capture the attention of fans and pundits alike. Among them are the perennial underdogs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS)—two teams that boast immense talent but still chase their elusive first IPL title. In this mix stands a key figure of modern Indian cricket: Shreyas Iyer. Though not a part of either franchise, Iyer’s presence and leadership bring a contrasting stability that both RCB and PBKS seem to lack.
RCB & PBKS: The Perennial Promise Machines
RCB and PBKS have long been teams that spark interest at the auction table but stumble when it comes to consistency on the field. RCB, home to legends like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, and now powered by stars like Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell, remains a team of moments rather than a team of tournaments.
Punjab Kings, with their ever-changing leadership and squad rotations, are the very embodiment of chaos. From Chris Gayle to KL Rahul, from Mayank Agarwal to Shikhar Dhawan, PBKS has experimented with flair but not always with logic. The lack of a solid, long-term captaincy figure has cost them dearly.
Shreyas Iyer: The Calm in the Chaos
Contrast that with Shreyas Iyer, the composed, tactically sharp batter who led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020 and currently helms Kolkata Knight Riders. While not a part of RCB or PBKS, Iyer’s style of leadership is exactly what these two franchises could use.
At Delhi, he transformed a young team into a title contender. At KKR, despite injuries and team reshuffles, he has brought a much-needed strategic calm. His ability to absorb pressure and build innings could be the glue missing in both RCB and PBKS line-ups, which often rely on aggressive starts but lack anchor roles when things fall apart.
