Shreyas Iyer, a star Indian middle-order batsman, was named the new captain of Punjab Kings on Sunday, January 12, for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. In an interview, he described himself as a 10/10 T20 player and stated that he does not like to doubt himself.

“I would always rate [myself] 10 because I don't like to doubt myself at all,”, Shreyas Iyer told ESPNCricinfo.

Iyer, who made his international debut for India on November 1, 2017, during a T20I match against New Zealand in Delhi, has played a total of 14 Tests, 62 ODIs, and 51 T20Is so far.

The right-handed hitter from Mumbai, who led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, also discussed his leadership style, stating that he despises losing and that mentality has propelled him to his current position as captain.

“I’m a liberating captain. I just let the players be. I don’t want them to behave in any particular way. But when we are on the field, I want each and every individual to have the same mindset and the same motto: winning and contributing towards the team’s benefit. That’s it. I don’t want anything else," Iyer said.

“It’s a proud feeling to be one of the eight guys (to win the IPL title as captain). The journey has been like a rollercoaster ride; it has never been easy. I’m someone who believes thoroughly in winning all the time. I hate losing, personally, and I think that’s what has elevated me to where I am right now as a captain," he added.

Iyer said he was completely taken aback after becoming the first player in IPL history to earn more than Rs 25 crore. He was bought by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 26.75 crores, a record that was broken by Rishabh Pant, who went to LSG for INR 27 crores.

“I was absolutely gob smacked. I wasn’t expecting that amount, but I was expecting somewhere around that amount. So once (the bidding) crossed a certain point, I was covering my ears with cotton, and I just didn’t want to stay in front of the TV. I was in Hyderabad at that point in time, playing Syed Mushtaq Ali. Yeah, I was dumbstruck," he said.

Iyer said he was completely taken aback after becoming the first player in IPL history to earn more than Rs 25 crore.

“I’ve worked with him in the past; I know how his mindset is, and I know he gives that sort of freedom. I know his nature—he is someone who likes a person or a player who owns up to his mistakes. That’s one great thing about him," he added.

Iyer was unveiled as Punjab Kings captain on a Sunday episode of Bigg Boss season 18 featuring Salman Khan.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)