PBKS Newcomer Dwarshuis Shares Insights On Shreyas Iyer Ahead Of IPL 2026
Ben Dwarshuis praises Shreyas Iyer as strong PBKS captain.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31 against the Gujarat Titans at New Chandigarh. After finishing as runners-up in 2025, the franchise is determined to build on last year’s success and pursue their maiden IPL title. Ahead of the opening match, Australian all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis shared his early impressions of the team and captain Shreyas Iyer in an exclusive interaction with NDTV.
Dwarshuis, 31, is returning to the PBKS setup after previously being part of the franchise during the 2018 season. “There are a couple of familiar faces. A lot has changed in the eight years, but it’s nice to be back and have that familiarity. The stadium is beautiful, the facilities are great, and the vibes are really high after our training sessions and practice games,” he said.
Under the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting, Dwarshuis expressed excitement about learning from one of cricket’s most strategic minds. “I’ve had some experience with him in the past and really enjoyed it. This two-month stint is going to be great, and I hope to pick up a few things from him,” he added.
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Speaking about Shreyas Iyer, Dwarshuis described him as “one of the strongest captains in the league” with a sharp cricketing brain. “I’m excited to hopefully get a few games under my belt and see what he’s like out in the middle,” he said, highlighting the respect Iyer commands among his teammates.
Dwarshuis also praised the team’s young talent, including Priyansh, Prabh, Nehal, and Musheer, noting their performance in practice matches. “They’re all incredible cricketers. Musheer, in particular, is a funny, outgoing character, and it’s been nice having conversations with him,” he said. On adapting to different pitch conditions across India, Dwarshuis emphasized the importance of versatility, noting that adapting to varied conditions is a hallmark of great cricketers.
With a blend of experienced players like Dwarshuis and promising youngsters, PBKS aim to start their 2026 IPL campaign on a strong note, hoping to turn past near-misses into championship success.
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