\"The mission, obviously, is to lift the trophy. But I always feel that the more you stay in the present, the more you stay in control of what is in your hands at that moment and you just have to go full throttle. You don\u2019t have to think too far ahead or dwell on the past. I reiterate the same point to my teammates as well, that when we are out there, we are playing for ourselves, not against the opponents. We just want to improve each day and make sure we put our best foot forward. When everything comes together and that synergy builds, everything falls into place,\u201d Iyer told JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having led Punjab to the brink of glory in the Indian Premier League 2025, where they fell just six runs short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer has quickly become a fan favourite, fondly dubbed \u2018Sarpanch Saab\u2019 for his leadership style.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI love it. I was clueless at the start of my journey with Punjab Kings about how the \u2018Sarpanch\u2019 tag came up and what it meant. But later, when I asked a couple of my teammates, they explained that \u2018Sarpanch\u2019 means the head of a family, a group, or even a district. That gave me clarity, and from there onwards, my journey started,\u201d Iyer said, reflecting on the nickname that underscores his role within the squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Iyer\u2019s impact was immediate last season, headlined by a blistering unbeaten 97 on debut for Punjab, where he prioritised the team\u2019s total over personal milestones.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHonestly, at that moment, I told Shashank not to overthink because there were 10 balls left. I thought I would get at least one ball out of those 10. So, I told him, \u2018You can play freely, don\u2019t think too much.\u2019 In the last over as well, I gave him that belief, that it\u2019s okay to take it on and not worry about my hundred. In the back of my mind, I felt I would get at least one ball somehow. But then he played the entire over, and I was happy that we got 240 on the board. To get that score in the first match of the season sets the rhythm,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The skipper also highlighted his collaborative leadership style, citing an instance in which teammates' input proved decisive in a crunch situation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen you are on the ground, every individual is involved in the game, and everyone\u2019s inputs matter in that situation. When bowlers come and say they can execute a certain plan, it\u2019s important to back them because their instincts can be strong as well. At the same time, there are situations when they run out of ideas and ask what they should do, and that\u2019s when I step in and provide input.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt goes hand in hand, it\u2019s not like I always dictate terms. Even in team meetings, players come up with solid points, and you have to value what they bring. We had discussed bowling wide yorkers to Rutherford because wherever else we pitched, he was going bonkers. The plan worked, and Vyshak ended up being the hero in that game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Iyer also reflected on Punjab\u2019s dramatic turnaround in a low-scoring clash against Kolkata Knight Riders last season, where his side defended a modest total of 111 through relentless pressure and attacking intent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt goes hand in hand, it\u2019s not like I always dictate terms. Even in team meetings, players come up with solid points, and you have to value what they bring. We had discussed bowling wide yorkers to Rutherford because wherever else we pitched, he was going bonkers. The plan worked, and Vyshak ended up being the hero in that game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
I made the field more attacking when a new batter came in, and they tried to play improvisational shots, like Ramandeep playing the sweep earlier. Credit goes to the bowlers as well, they were very consistent with their lines and lengths and had an attacking mindset. I keep telling them in every game that it\u2019s not over until the last ball is bowled or the last run is scored. You never give up, you fight till the end. We\u2019ve seen so many matches where consistent wickets create pressure on the opposition,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n