Iyer, Arshdeep confident as Punjab Kings begin IPL countdown

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season fast approaching, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh expressed confidence and excitement about the campaign ahead during the franchise’s new jersey unveiling event in Mohali on Friday.

Speaking on the team’s preparations during the event which was also attended by Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon, Chief Commercial Officer Saurabh Arora among others, Iyer highlighted the importance of building strong relationships within the squad before the start of the tournament, noting that bonding off the field plays a key role in on-field success.

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“This is the period where we live as a family for two months. The more time we spend together, the more we get to know each other. Now is the time where we build that camaraderie. We spend most of our time in the game room, playing FIFA and other games. The planning and plotting for matches usually happens a day or two before the game, but building this bond off the field helps us get better results eventually,” Shreyas said.

Iyer also reflected on his return to competitive cricket after recovering from an injury that kept him out for a period. “It is always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around seven kilos and it took a lot of effort to gain that weight back. But I love challenges. I am glad I overcame that part of my life, and I am back here proudly representing the team.”

Acknowledging the support he has received from Punjab fans, who have affectionately nicknamed him ‘Sarpanch Sahab’, the captain said his focus remains firmly on winning the title.

“Expectations are high, which is fun. I love the challenge. But the important thing is that whenever we step in, we have to win. My eye is on the trophy,” he added.

Arshdeep, one of the franchise’s key bowlers and a local favourite, also spoke about the excitement of playing in front of the home crowd at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

“When you feel the pressure, it is a privilege,” Arshdeep smiled. “It is a lot of fun when you get so much support from the crowd. When people cheer for you, you feel that 30,000 people are running in with you at that time. We will try our best to win all our home matches this year.”

The left-arm quick also looked back at his journey with the franchise and credited the team management for believing in him early in his career. “The journey has been amazing,” Arshdeep said.

“When I came here for the first time, they gave me full support and showed me my potential. They trusted me a lot when no other team did. I really appreciate that, and I want to stay here for a long time. I am looking forward to winning a lot of trophies for the team,” he added.