New Delhi: Shreyas Iyer’s leadership in the Indian Premier League 2026 season has drawn high praise, with Virender Sehwag awarding him a perfect 10/10 rating. However, fellow former India teammate Zaheer Khan offered a contrasting view, rating another captain higher and highlighting areas for improvement.

Iyer leads PBKS to historic unbeaten start

Under Iyer’s captaincy, Punjab Kings have enjoyed a remarkable start to the season. The team has won six matches while one ended in a ‘No Result,’ making Iyer the first captain in IPL history to remain unbeaten after the first seven matches of a campaign.

With 13 points out of a possible 14, Punjab currently sit at the top of the points table, reflecting both consistency and strong team management. Iyer’s calm approach, tactical awareness, and ability to get the best out of his players have been key factors behind the team’s early dominance.

Sehwag, speaking during a discussion, did not hesitate to heap praise on Iyer, calling his captaincy flawless so far and deserving of full marks.

Zaheer offers a different perspective

While Sehwag was emphatic in his assessment, Zaheer Khan took a more measured stance. Acknowledging Punjab’s top position, he suggested that there is always room for improvement and refrained from giving a perfect score.

Zaheer even indicated that he rated Rajat Patidar’s leadership at Royal Challengers Bengaluru slightly higher, pointing to the competitive nature of captaincy performances this season.

The friendly exchange between Sehwag and Zaheer added a lighter tone to the debate, with Sehwag joking that Zaheer might have deducted marks due to Iyer’s loss in last season’s final.

Captaincy debate highlights high standards

The differing opinions underline the high standards expected from IPL captains. While results play a major role, experts also consider factors such as decision-making under pressure, adaptability, and long-term strategy.

Iyer’s record this season speaks for itself, but Zaheer’s remarks suggest that consistency over the entire tournament will ultimately determine how his captaincy is judged.

Ishan Kishan earns praise as stand-in skipper

During the same discussion, Zaheer also highlighted the impressive leadership shown by Ishan Kishan while captaining Sunrisers Hyderabad in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins.

Kishan led the side to five wins in seven matches, initially following Cummins’ approach before gradually establishing his own leadership style. Tactical changes, including adjustments in the playing XI, were credited for SRH’s strong performances.

Zaheer noted that Kishan’s willingness to adapt and implement new ideas played a significant role in the team’s success during this phase.

Points table taking shape

As the tournament progresses, the competition at the top remains intense. While Punjab Kings lead the standings with 13 points, teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are close behind with 10 points each.

Net run-rate continues to be a crucial factor in separating teams with similar records, adding further importance to dominant performances.

Conclusion

Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy has undoubtedly been one of the standout stories of IPL 2026 so far. While Virender Sehwag’s 10/10 rating reflects the team’s unbeaten start, Zaheer Khan’s more cautious assessment serves as a reminder that sustaining success over a long tournament is the ultimate test.

With the season still unfolding, Iyer has the opportunity to not only justify the praise but also address the minor gaps highlighted by critics. The coming matches will determine whether Punjab Kings can convert their strong start into a title-winning campaign.