For more than a 10 years, Shreyas Iyer has played top-level cricket but is perhaps at the best phase of his life and career right now. In 2023, he had extreme back pain and underwent surgery for that. He had almost missed the ODI World Cup; however, he recovered in time and delivered 530 runs, scoring two centuries and three fifties across 11 games. Months later, he brought the Kolkata Knight Riders their third IPL title, ending a 10-year-old championship drought. Iyer wasn't even being considered for India's ODI XI against England; until Virat Kohli was injured; he seized the moment, scoring 59, 44, and 78, as India clinched the series 3-0. He carried on in the Champions Trophy, getting 56, 79, 45, and 48 and being a major arm in India winning the title. Yet he was not retained by KKR. The gentleman who named the franchise brought its glory and they let him go. He mentioned in an interview with The Indian Express that the split was caused due to a lack of communication. It may have been a mutual decision, but he was clearly unhappy with the lack of serious retention talks. Fast-forwarding to IPL 2025, the Shreyas Iyer saga continues this time in Punjab Kings colors. Read: Rahane’s Stunning Catch Removes Ishan Kishan in KKR vs SRH Leading PBKS now, Iyer has started the season with unbeaten knocks of 97 and 52, guiding his side to victory in both matches. He's now on 149 runs, which is nearly half of what he managed across the entire last season, and he looks far from finished. KKR, on the other hand, is struggling. Their new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, is a seasoned hand, but the disappearing season has robbed glamour from his unit. After suffering back-to-back defeats against RCB at home and away to MI, the defending champions might be a bit off the pace; despite clocking in a big win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rising to the Top: However, PBKS appears like a serious team with serious intent under the captaincy of Iyer. Though they have yet to win an IPL title, head coach Ricky Ponting, who worked earlier with Iyer at Delhi Capitals is keen on putting together the best-ever PBKS squad. Iyer, by the way, hasn't shied from taking it on his shoulders. In the opener, he readily forfeited a chance at a hundred just to allow Shashank Singh the liberty to go bang in the final over-a move that proved pivotal in a closely fought, high-scoring contest. Read: Rahane’s Stunning Catch Removes Ishan Kishan in KKR vs SRH Amidst the peak of his career, Iyer feels that form can be transient in sports, and he is all out to seize the moment. He aims to cement the No.3 berth in the IPL while eyeing the larger goal of establishing a strong case for India at that position. From the highest of highs, scoring a century on debut, to the lowest of lows, when he feared a back injury could cost him World Cup selection, it has been no straight line for Iyer. The captain to watch now, imagine him, and winning IPL titles in back-to-back seasons with different teams. Then, picture this Shreyas Iyer batting at No.3 for India in an already packed T20I lineup.