Shreyas Iyer vs Pat Cummins - 3 Areas Where PBKS Captain Has Outshone WC Winner

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins [Source: iplt20.com, @SUNRISERSU/x.com]Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins [Source: iplt20.com, @SUNRISERSU/x.com]

When Australia's Pat Cummins lifted the 2023 ODI World Cup trophy, he cemented his status as one of cricket's elite captains. Yet the IPL 2025 season has revealed that international success doesn't automatically translate to franchise cricket dominance, with Punjab Kings' Shreyas Iyer demonstrating tactical superiority over his decorated counterpart.

Here are three areas where Shreyas Iyer has left Pat Cummins behind - 

1. The Toss Master: Strategic Decision-Making

Shreyas Iyer's command over the crucial pre-match coin toss has been remarkable. With a 75% toss win rate compared to Cummins' 40%, Iyer has established early advantages for PBKS. More impressively, he's converted 66.67% of those toss wins into match victories, showcasing his astute reading of conditions and match situations.

Cummins, despite winning the toss in two matches, has failed to capitalise on these advantages. His inability to make the right calls regarding batting or bowling first suggests he hasn't fully adapted to the nuances of Indian pitches and IPL dynamics, despite his international pedigree.

2. Leading from the Front: Performance Under Pressure

Cricket captaincy places additional mental burden on players, yet Iyer has thrived under this pressure. He's amassed 168 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 188.76, smashing 10 boundaries and 14 sixes in the process. His ability to accelerate at critical junctures has repeatedly given PBKS the upper hand in tight contests.

Cummins, meanwhile, has struggled to maintain his bowling standards while managing captaincy responsibilities. Despite claiming 4 wickets, his economy rate of 10.63 is concerning for a frontline bowler. This inefficiency has compromised SRH's death bowling plans and directly impacted match outcomes.

3. Bowling Strategy Mastery

Perhaps most tellingly, Iyer has demonstrated superior bowling resource management despite not being a bowler himself. Under his leadership, PBKS has deployed Arshdeep Singh  and Lockie Ferguson at optimal phases, maintaining pressure throughout the innings.

Ironically, Cummins—a world-class bowler—has been unable to translate his bowling expertise into effective team strategies. SRH's death bowling has been particularly problematic, with bowlers like Simarjeet Singh conceding runs at an economy of 13.43, suggesting fundamental issues with field placements and bowling plans.

Conclusion

The contrasting captaincy styles highlight an important cricket truth: leadership is about maximising available resources rather than individual brilliance. As the IPL progresses, Cummins will need to quickly adapt his approach if SRH hopes to recover from their disappointing start, while Iyer's PBKS appears poised for a serious title challenge under his shrewd leadership.