Shreyas Iyer Has been excellent as a batsman and perhaps even better as the captain of Punjab Kings. Under his astute leadership, the Kings remain unbeaten in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after playing seven games.
Ahead of Punjab's upcoming clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday, April 28, Cheteshwar Pujara praised Shreyas for leading his team from the front. The former India batsman had suggested the Royals to try to get Shreyas out within the first 10-15 balls because once he gets set, it is very difficult to remove him.
“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 gets set, he is almost unstoppable,'' Pujara said during Star Sports' segment 'Game Plan'.
Pujara said that Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag should use his leading wicket-takers Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi against Shreyas.
“So if you can, try to use Jofra Archer early on; if they have a few overs left, try to use Ravi Bishnoi as well whenever possible. And we have 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 said.
You need to show some trust in your spinners: Pujara's advice to Riyan Parag
Pujara advised Riyan Parag to show more trust in his team's spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi. In Rajasthan's last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jadeja and Bishnoi bowled one over each.
“I definitely agree that they have to utilize their spinners better because as we saw in the last game Ravindra Jadeja bowled just one over. Even Ravi Bishnoi bowled just one over. So I think when you are defending a big score, you need your spinners to take wickets, and you need to use your spinners in a way where they can give you good overs, as well. They can also take wickets for you,” Pujara said.
“You need to show a bit of confidence in your spinners, and that's where I think Riyan Parag has to make sure he shows confidence in his spinners, especially Ravi Bishnoi; he has had a great season. Try and utilize this quota of overs,” he said.
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