Mohali, March 20 Declaring that his “focus is on winning the trophy”, Shreyas Iyer said on Friday that Punjab Kings are focused on building strong team spirit off the field ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season.
Speaking at the franchise’s jersey unveiling event in Mohali, Iyer stressed on the importance of team bonding during the early phase of the tournament.
“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 team spirit,” Iyer said.
“We spend most of our time in the game room, playing FIFA and other games. The planning and strategy for matches usually happens a day or two before the game, but building this bond off the field helps us achieve better results eventually,” he added.
Punjab Kings will open their campaign in the upcoming season against Gujarat Titans on March 31 at home.
Embracing the expectations from fans, who have nicknamed him ‘Sarpanch Sahab’, Iyer made his ambitions clear.
“Expectations are high, which is exciting. I enjoy the challenge. But the most important thing is that whenever we step onto the field, we have to win. My focus is on winning the trophy,” he asserted.
The captain, who has battled injuries recently, also reflected on his comeback journey.
“It is always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around seven kilos, and it took a lot of effort to regain that weight. But I enjoy challenges. I am glad that I overcame that part of my life, and I am proud to represent the team,” he said.
"Pressure is a privilege"
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Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh echoed his captain’s confidence, highlighting the role of home support in Mullanpur.
“When you feel the pressure, it is a privilege. 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 alongside you at that time. We will try our best to win all our home matches this year,” Arshdeep said.
Reflecting on his journey with the franchise, the India seamer credited the team management for backing him early in his career.
“The journey has been amazing. 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.
