IPL 2026: How Shreyas Iyer made Punjab Kings the ultimate chase masters

Clinical, domineering, rampaging, and unflinching, pundits have run out of adjectives to describe Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) dominance in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). PBKS is sitting atop the points table, having not dropped a game so far and is setting a new benchmark for modern-day batting standards in every match.

Led by Shreyas Iyer, Punjab are roaring the loudest among all ten teams, leaving the bowlers charred with the fire of their willows. Known largely as mere participants of the T20 extravaganza, PBKS are now in a league of their own, sending shivers down the spines of the opponents even before they take the field.

The newfound success for PBKS is largely due to their phenomenal chasing prowess. Punjab have now built a reputation for themselves to be touted as the most successful chasing team in IPL history. Out of the six victories for PBKS this season, five have come while batting second, out of which three were chasing 200-plus scores.

They recently shattered their own record of the highest successful chase in tournament's history, surpassing Delhi Capitals' (DC) massive score of 264, with seven balls to spare.

The two-time runners-up now also boast the most successful 200-plus chases in IPL history (11), way clear of MI, who sit in the second spot with six. Out of those 11 wins, four have come under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy out of five games.

No of 200 plus successful chases by Punjab Kings

Moreover, under Iyer’s leadership, Punjab have lost just two matches while chasing out of 12 games, with one of them being the IPL 2025 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they fell just seven runs short of their target. 

Punjab Kings’ chasing record under Shreyas Iyer

Meanwhile, it’s not just the chases where Iyer’s impact has been seen, as Punjab also top the list for most 200-plus scores (12) in IPL, since 2025.

No of 200-plus scores by Punjab Kings

Sarpanch's army is here to win the trophy

PBKS have also scored at the overall best run rate in IPL since 2025 (10.42), which was at 9.19 runs from 2023-2024, the sixth-best, among ten teams. All of this has happened under the watch of the man, nicknamed ‘Sarpanch’ (head), who has shown the way to the team, plundering runs from his willow, nonchalantly.

Iyer has topped the run-scoring charts for Punjab Kings ever since joining the franchise, with 883 runs from 23 innings at an average of 55.18 and a strike rate of 178.38 with ten fifties.

With him at the helm and their belligerent batting displays, the Sarpanch's army has already sent warning signs to the rest of the teams. It remains to be seen if the opponents are able to find PBKS' kryptonite, or else they look sure-shot favourites to run away with their maiden IPL title.