Shreyas Iyer Reveals How His Mindset Shift Turned IPL 2026 Into His Statement Season

Shreyas Iyer opens up on fixing his short-ball weakness while leading Punjab Kings with dominant form in IPL 2026.

Shreyas Iyer has been in sensational form since joining Punjab Kings during the IPL mega auction, making headlines for both his batting brilliance and captaincy impact. After guiding PBKS to a runners-up finish last season despite topping the points table, Iyer has continued his strong run into IPL 2026, keeping the team unbeaten so far.

The Mumbai batter enjoyed a prolific last season, scoring 604 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 175.07. He has carried that momentum forward this year as well, amassing 279 runs from six innings at an explosive strike rate of 186. His consistent performances have strengthened his case as one of the most in-form batters in the tournament.

Despite his success, Iyer had long been criticized for his struggles against short-pitched deliveries. However, the PBKS skipper has now turned that weakness into a strength through focused effort and a shift in mindset.

“People said I would never fix my short-ball problem. That triggered me. I wanted to prove them wrong by performing well. So, I worked hard on it. Earlier, I would just take a single or try to keep the ball down. But now my mindset has changed. If I see a short ball in my zone, I am going to hit it for a six,” Iyer said on JioHotstar.

He credited his development to years of training with Pravin Amre and valuable inputs from Abhishek Nayar.

“I work with Pravin Amre. I have been with him since I was young. I also talk to coaches like Abhishek Nayar. We share ideas. During my batting practice, I now try to play around 50 overs and face over 300 balls. That helps me understand what works for me. I don’t follow a fixed pattern. I give myself more time in the middle and face real bowlers, not just sidearm throws,” he said.

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Iyer also highlighted how he has worked on his rhythm at the crease, drawing inspiration from some of the game’s greatest players.

“The more I face bowlers, the clearer my movement becomes. I focus on creating a rhythm. Just before the bowler delivers, I try to get into my position quickly. That creates a flow. You must have seen AB de Villiers do that. Even Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have that rhythm before playing their shots. I try to do the same,” he added.

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With his resurgence in T20 cricket, calls for Iyer’s return to India’s T20I setup have grown louder, with some even suggesting him as a future captaincy option. However, the batter remains focused on pushing himself beyond perceived limits.

“I have people around me who say that in this situation, you can’t do it. It’s impossible. I don’t like hearing that. As a cricketer playing at the highest level, I just can’t accept it. Then in my mind, I decide that I have to prove them wrong,” Iyer said.

“The challenge becomes: ‘I was in this situation, how can I come back stronger?’ I push myself harder and try to return as soon as possible to prove them wrong. That thought keeps driving me, especially after injuries. When I had my back injury, some people said I would never be the same again. I asked myself, why can’t I be? The way you shape your mindset after an injury is important. You choose what to focus on and what to ignore,” he added.