Shreyas Iyer, the Indian international cricketer, has been a subject of much discussion and analysis in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite his consistent performance and leadership qualities, there's a growing sentiment that he hasn't always received the recognition he deserves.

Iyer's IPL journey began in 2015 when he was acquired by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for a notable sum, making him the highest-earning uncapped player at the time. He immediately made an impact, winning the IPL Emerging Player of the Year award in his debut season. Over the next six seasons, he became a crucial part of the Delhi franchise, consistently scoring over 400 runs per season and eventually being appointed as captain. In 2020, he led the Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final, a testament to his leadership and batting prowess.

In the IPL 2022 auction, Iyer was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a hefty sum, and he was immediately named the captain. In 2024, he captained KKR to their third IPL title, becoming only the fifth Indian captain in IPL history to achieve this feat. He also holds the unique record of being the only captain to lead two different teams (Delhi Capitals and KKR) to an IPL final until 2024.

Most recently, in the IPL 2025 season, Iyer played for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and continued to showcase his skills. Although, on June 2, 2025, during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI), Iyer and the PBKS team were fined for maintaining a slow over rate. Iyer himself was fined INR 24 lakhs, while the other team members also faced penalties. Despite this setback, Iyer's contribution to the team was undeniable. He played a crucial role in PBKS reaching the IPL 2025 final, where they faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In fact, on June 3, 2025, it was reported that Shreyas Iyer was punished by the BCCI after PBKS booked their place in the IPL 2025 final. This was due to a slow over rate during the Qualifier 2 clash against Mumbai Indians. Iyer was fined Rs 24 lakh, while the other members of the playing XI were fined Rs 6 lakh or 25 percent of their respective match fees, whichever was lesser.

Despite these achievements, some cricket analysts believe that Iyer's contributions have not been fully appreciated. While his batting statistics are impressive, his leadership qualities and ability to handle pressure situations are often overlooked. There's a feeling that he hasn't received enough credit for his strategic acumen and his role in fostering team spirit.

Adding fuel to the fire, there are whispers within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that Iyer's name is being considered to replace Rohit Sharma as India's captain in the white-ball formats. This indicates that his leadership skills have not gone unnoticed by those in power.

Iyer's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He has faced injuries, loss of form, and stiff competition for a place in the Indian team. However, he has consistently bounced back, proving his resilience and determination. As he continues his cricketing career, it's clear that Shreyas Iyer has a lot more to offer, both as a batsman and as a leader. It remains to be seen whether he will finally receive the recognition he truly deserves.