PBKS are all set to feature in the IPL 2025 and will face off one final time against RCB in this competition. PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has been a game-changer for his side. His exploits on the field have left his fan base awestruck. However, the PBKS skipper has also been creating a buzz off the field as well. 

In a recent interaction with Preity Zinta, the co-owner of PBKS franchise, Shreyas reveals a funny incident that led the birth of his new nickname "Sarpanch Saab". Being the captain of the Punjab side, Shreyas was rightfully awarded the nickname, as it roughly translates to "the head of the group".  

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So what's the truth behind Shreyas's newly adopted nickname

Initially, Shreyas had no idea how or who coined this famous nickname for him. Wherever he wandered around in the state of Punjab, people greeted him and called him Sarpanch Sahab. But then he reflects on an incident where his team was coming back from the ground and the whole team was stopped at the signal. A group of five guys in the car saw the PBKS skipper and by calling him with his nickname, made a humble plea to make PBKS win this year.

"I seriously have no idea about it. I've got no clue how I got this name. I am sure it came from the management. They gave me this tag and it has been tagged along. Wherever I go in Punjab right now, whenever I get out of the hotel they're like Sarpanch Saab give us a picture. That has happened. I remember this incident where we were coming back from the ground we were stopped at the signal and there was this car with five guys. They saw me sitting in the car and they were like Sarpanch saab make us win this year then we will name a road here in your name."

A look at Shreyas' stellar run this season

After being handed over the captaincy duties, Shreyas Iyer has taken on the role with great responsibility. Not only has he excelled in his leadership, steering the team to the finals after a lengthy 11-year wait, but he has also had an outstanding season with the bat.

Shreyas has emerged as their top run-scorer this season, accumulating 603 runs across 16 matches, boasting an average of 54.81 and a strike rate of 175.80, including six half-centuries. Additionally, he delivered an outstanding performance in Qualifier 2 against MI, where he scored an impressive unbeaten 87 off merely 41 balls, contributing significantly to PBKS's victory and securing a place in the final.