Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has praised Shreyas Iyer after his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings.
After the match, Pietersen said he enjoys watching Iyer bat and even turns on the TV specifically to watch him play.
Match Summary: CSK vs PBKS in Chennai
The match was played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
CSK batted first and posted a strong total of 209 runs for the loss of five wickets.
CSK Batting Scorecard
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Ayush Mhatre | 73 | 43 |
| Shivam Dube | 45* | 27 |
| Sarfaraz Khan | 32 | 12 |
Ayush Mhatre played a key role with a solid 73 runs, while Shivam Dube finished strongly to push the score past 200.
PBKS Chase: Iyer Leads the Way
Punjab Kings were chasing a target of 210 runs.
The team started aggressively thanks to Priyansh Arya, who scored a quick 39 runs from just 11 balls.
After the fast start, captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings and guided the team toward victory.
PBKS Chase Highlights
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Priyansh Arya | 39 | 11 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 50 | 29 |
Punjab Kings successfully chased the target in 18.4 overs and won the match by five wickets.
Pietersen’s Praise for Shreyas Iyer
After the match, Kevin Pietersen shared his thoughts on social media.
He wrote that Shreyas Iyer is a special player and that he turns on the television just to watch him bat.
The comment quickly gained attention among fans and highlighted how highly Pietersen rates Iyer’s batting ability.
Pietersen is currently part of the commentary team this season after leaving his mentoring role with Delhi Capitals.
Iyer’s Leadership Approach for PBKS
Speaking after the match, Shreyas Iyer explained the mindset he wants his team to follow during the season.
He said the team is focused on impressing each other inside the dressing room rather than trying to please fans or critics outside.
According to Iyer, this approach helps players stay clear about their goals and perform with confidence.
Also See : Stephen Fleming Backs Sanju Samson After Slow Start in IPL 2026
PBKS Team Philosophy
| Focus Area | Approach |
|---|---|
| Motivation | Inspire teammates |
| Team culture | Trust and support within the dressing room |
| Performance goal | Play fearless and positive cricket |
| External pressure | Ignore outside noise |
This mindset has helped the team stay united and perform better under pressure.
What This Win Means for Punjab Kings
The victory over Chennai Super Kings is an important boost for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 season.
Key Impact of the Win
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Team confidence | Boost after chasing a big target |
| Captain’s role | Iyer leading from the front |
| Batting depth | Strong contributions from multiple players |
Punjab Kings will now look to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches.
Final Thoughts
Kevin Pietersen’s praise shows how much respect Shreyas Iyer is earning from former international players.
His calm batting and leadership played a major role in PBKS’s successful chase against CSK.
If Iyer continues this form, Punjab Kings could become one of the strongest teams in the IPL 2026 season.
