The Mullanpur stadium will be excited for the big encounter as the Punjab Kings host Rajasthan Royals on 28 April 2026. Shreyas Iyer enters this match with a lot to prove after a season where he’s really changed his game and played with more aggression.
Throughout IPL 2026, he has held the middle order together well, even though critics still talk about his old struggles with the short ball. But his recent form shows he's completely turned a corner, turning his solid starts into the kind of innings that actually win games. Fans are keen to see how he handles the raw pace Rajasthan brings to the table in tonight’s big game.
In a recent chat with Irfan Pathan on JioStar, Shreyas Iyer opened up about how the noise around his technique against short-pitched bowling actually motivated him. He admitted that hearing people call it a weakness made him want to go out there and prove everyone wrong.
Before, he’d usually play it safe by looking for a single or trying to keep the ball down. Now, his mindset is much more aggressive; if a short ball is in his zone, he’s looking to clear the fence. This new confidence comes from the long, hard hours he’s put in with his long-time mentor, Pravin Amre.
Outside of his work with Amre, Shreyas often talks shop with Abhishek Nayar to get fresh ideas on shot selection and how he stands at the crease. His training is gruelling; he often faces more than 300 balls over 50 overs just to get used to the fatigue of a long knock.
Instead of sticking to a rigid script, Shreyas is giving himself the freedom to just play the situation. He’s also made it a point to face real bowlers instead of sidearm machines because the unpredictability of a person’s release helps his reactions stay sharp. It’s all about making sure his footwork is crisp and his head is clear when the pressure is on during a match.
Shreyas puts a lot of stock in finding a pre-delivery rhythm, much like the fluid way AB de Villiers used to move. He’s watched how top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli settle into their stance right as the bowler is about to let go.
Because of that, Shreyas is focusing on getting into position early so everything feels like one smooth motion, allowing him to react to high speeds without overthinking. This helps him stay balanced and well-timed, turning what used to be a problem into a way to score runs. As the lights go up for the PBKS vs RR game, everyone is waiting to see if Shreyas Iyer can put on another show.
“People said I would never fix my short-ball problem. That triggered me. I wanted to prove them wrong by performing well. So, I worked hard on it. Earlier, I would just take a single or try to keep the ball down. But now my mindset has changed. If I see a short ball in my zone, I am going to hit it for a six. I work with Pravin Amre. I have been with him since I was young. I also talk to coaches like Abhishek Nayar. We share ideas,” Iyer told former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on JioStar.
“During my batting practice, I now try to play around 50 overs and face over 300 balls. That helps me understand what works for me. I don’t follow a fixed pattern. I give myself more time in the middle and face real bowlers, not just sidearm throws. The more I face bowlers, the clearer my movement becomes. I focus on creating a rhythm. Just before the bowler delivers, I try to get into my position quickly. That creates a flow. You must have seen AB de Villiers do that. Even Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have that rhythm before playing their shots. I try to do the same,” Iyer said.
