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Captains Are Always Expected To Perform And Contribute: Shreyas Iyer
Follow UsIn his first real statement after IPL 2025 final loss, Iyer revealed the roles and responsibilities of a captain
Shreyas Iyer isn’t new to captaincy, for he has done that role since he was 22, starting with Delhi Capitals and then reprising it at Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. Not to forget that he’s also led Mumbai with ease in the same time frame, taking them to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 win.
But with great power comes great responsibility, as Iyer would best know, after failing in PBKS’ biggest stage with a two-ball one in the Indian Premier League 2025 final. During the T20 Mumbai 2025, where he’s led SoBo Mumbai Falcons to the semi-finals, Iyer revealed that captains are always expected to ‘perform and contribute’.
“It (captaincy) brings in a lot of maturity and responsibility. You are always expected to perform and contribute in the best way possible for the team because whenever there is a hurdle or some kind of adversity you face as a team, they always come to the captain,” he said.
“I think I have got a lot of experience as I have been captaining since I was 22. I have enjoyed the moments and also embraced it. I love the fact to come out and lead," he further added.
So, how does Iyer go about his responsibilities?
"I just try to get into my zone and I try to do things which are there in front of me. I try to stay focused as much as possible, just to stay in the present, embrace the situation, embrace the crowd because sometimes they get very electrifying and pass on the energy to you. So I keep telling myself that I want the crowd to cheer my name, and that brings that kind of motivation,” he added.
Iyer is one of the big names to take part in the T20 Mumbai, alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, lifting the competition to bigger heights. The 30-year-old spoke about the tournament and how it is helping more youngsters get exposure of high-pressure cricket.
“The Mumbai Cricket Association has put in great efforts to bring this league and identify the talents who have been consistently performing in the grassroots of Mumbai. This gives them a great platform to come and express themselves and also to thrive beyond club cricket,” he said.