India, June 20: As Shreyas Iyer prepares for his first assignment as India’s full time T20 captain during the upcoming tour of England, praise continues to pour in from teammates who have witnessed his growth at close quarters. Among them is Punjab Kings fast bowler Vysakh Vijaykumar, who believes Iyer possesses the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level.
Having spent the last two Indian Premier League seasons under Iyer’s captaincy at Punjab Kings, Vysakh has observed the Mumbai batter’s evolution as both a cricketer and leader. According to the Karnataka pacer, one of Iyer’s biggest strengths is his ability to create a positive atmosphere by treating every member of the squad equally, regardless of experience or reputation.
Young players often enter major tournaments carrying immense expectations and pressure. Vysakh said Iyer’s calm communication and approachable nature help newcomers settle quickly, enabling them to focus on their performances rather than external distractions. He added that such qualities are invaluable in a demanding competition like the IPL, where confidence can often determine success or failure.
The fast bowler explained that Iyer’s handling of domestic and uncapped Indian players stood out throughout the season. Instead of creating divisions within the squad, the captain ensured every player felt valued and involved. This inclusive environment, Vysakh noted, played a crucial role in strengthening team unity and extracting the best performances from individuals.
Reflecting on Iyer’s development over the past year, Vysakh said the captain has become increasingly mature in both tactical decision-making and personal conduct. He described Iyer as someone constantly looking for new ideas and improvements, bringing fresh approaches to training sessions and match situations. That willingness to evolve, combined with a strong competitive mindset, has helped him earn the respect of teammates.
According to Vysakh, Iyer carries a strong presence whenever he steps onto the field. His determination to win and his ability to remain composed under pressure have become defining characteristics of his leadership style. The pacer said watching the captain manage different personalities and situations has been an educational experience for many players in the dressing room.
For Vysakh personally, the 2026 IPL season represented an important step forward. After receiving limited opportunities in previous campaigns, he featured more regularly and was able to showcase his bowling abilities on a larger stage. He credited the team management and captain for placing faith in him during crucial moments.
The Karnataka quick revealed that Iyer repeatedly encouraged him to trust his skills and remain confident regardless of match situations. Such backing from a captain, he said, can significantly influence a player’s mindset and performance levels. Knowing that the leadership group stands behind a player often allows them to express themselves more freely on the field.
A firm believer in continuous improvement, Vysakh follows a simple philosophy of becoming slightly better every day. He explained that even a one-percent improvement in training sessions can accumulate into meaningful progress over a season. This mindset has helped him remain motivated and focused throughout his professional journey.
The IPL season was once again dominated by batters, with teams regularly crossing the 200-run mark and successful chases becoming increasingly common. While many bowlers struggled to contain aggressive batting line-ups, Vysakh chose to view such conditions as an opportunity rather than a setback.
He believes challenging situations reveal a player’s true character and skill level. Bowling under pressure against attacking batters requires clarity, execution, and self-belief. Success in those circumstances, he said, can provide invaluable confidence and establish a player’s reputation.
Rather than calling for major changes to playing conditions, the pacer emphasized the importance of mental strength. In his view, confidence remains one of the most powerful tools available to any cricketer. A player who trusts their preparation and abilities can compete effectively regardless of the challenges presented by modern T20 cricket.
With the IPL now behind him, attention is gradually shifting toward domestic commitments. The upcoming season features several important red-ball tournaments, including the prestigious Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. However, Vysakh acknowledged that recent schedules have left limited time to focus extensively on longer format preparations.
Despite the challenge, he remains confident about rebuilding his red-ball rhythm in the coming months. Participation in local league competitions and Karnataka’s traditional four day tournaments will provide valuable opportunities to sharpen his skills before the domestic season gathers momentum.
At present, his immediate focus remains on white-ball cricket and helping Mysuru Warriors achieve success in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 competition. The tournament represents a significant opportunity not only for team success but also for personal development.
Beyond refining existing strengths, Vysakh hopes to expand his bowling arsenal by adding new variations. Modern cricket continues to evolve rapidly, and bowlers must constantly innovate to stay ahead of increasingly aggressive batters. He believes introducing additional options into his game could make him a more versatile and effective performer across formats.
The right-arm pacer admitted that following the demanding IPL season, his initial priority was regaining rhythm and recovering physically. With only a short break available, maintaining fitness and consistency became essential before attempting technical adjustments.
Another exciting chapter awaits him as captain of Mysuru Warriors. The leadership role carries special significance because the competition played an important role in launching his cricketing career. Having learned extensively from Iyer’s methods at Punjab Kings, Vysakh hopes to implement similar principles with his own team.
He intends to foster open communication, trust, and confidence among players, mirroring the environment he experienced under Iyer’s captaincy. Such lessons, he believes, can help create a stronger team culture and encourage individuals to perform at their best.
The fast bowler also acknowledged that strong performances in domestic T20 tournaments continue to attract attention from IPL franchises. Excelling in the Maharaja Trophy could therefore contribute not only to team success but also to future opportunities at the highest level.
As India prepare for a new era in T20 cricket under Shreyas Iyer, endorsements from teammates such as Vysakh offer insight into the qualities that earned him the national captaincy. With his emphasis on communication, player development, and collective growth, Iyer now faces the challenge of translating those strengths onto the international stage.