Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer recently revealed the story behind his growing nickname, "Sarpanch Saab," ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Iyer shared a funny anecdote about discovering the actual meaning of the term from his teammate Arshdeep Singh during the last season.
The popular term has struck a chord with cricket fans across Punjab. The word "Sarpanch" refers to a village head in North India. Supporters adopted this nickname as a mark of admiration for the Punjab Kings captain’s on-field presence and his strong off-field connection with the local fanbase.
Speaking at an event in Mohali, Shreyas Iyer opened up about how "Sarpanch" became his nickname. During his visits to Chandigarh and other regions, fans constantly greet him with loud chants of "Sarpanch Saab."
"I was just outside talking to someone, and I told them that when I was first called ‘sarpanch,’ I actually had to ask people what it exactly meant. Like last year, I even asked Arshdeep what it meant and how the term is used. He told me that ‘sarpanch’ refers to the head of a community, and gradually, it started to stick with me," Shreyas Iyer said.
Shreyas Iyer reveals how "Sarpanch" became his nickname ?pic.twitter.com/TxSijDJD5f
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 22, 2026It Wasn’t Like I Liked It Instantly - Shreyas Iyer
The Punjab Kings captain admitted that while he didn’t like the nickname at first, hearing it repeatedly over the past year has made it feel special. Iyer added that the chants give him a sense of pride and motivation, and he is enjoying the pressure while embracing the challenge.
"It wasn’t like I liked it instantly, but even when I was just walking on the road, people started calling me by that name. Now it has been a year since I started playing in the IPL, and whenever people meet me, they call me ‘sarpanch’," Iyer opined.
"It feels nice and also motivates me. I’ve come into this new season with high expectations, and honestly, it’s fun. I love the challenge."
Punjab Kings Look Balanced On Paper Ahead Of IPL 2026
Punjab Kings have a strong Indian bowling core and an excellent overseas lineup. On paper, they possess one of the most complete squads in the entire T20 competition.
However, having multiple options could create selection dilemmas. The franchise have power, depth, and variety, but the team management must avoid overthinking their starting combinations.
The 2025 season was Shreyas Iyer’s first campaign with PBKS. He led the franchise to the final, where they fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The 31-year-old will aim to guide the team to their maiden title and secure his second trophy as captain.
In the previous edition, Iyer finished as Punjab Kings’ leading run-scorer. He scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, including six half-centuries.
PBKS will begin their new campaign against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 31 in Mullanpur. They will then face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 3 and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6. They will play their final match in the first phase against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 11 in Mullanpur.
Also read: India Women set to play three ODIs and one-off Test in South Africa in December 2026
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