"Fake News": Why Preity Zinta Said This About Rishabh Pant And Shreyas Iyer

Preity Zinta, co-owner of Punjab Kings, has firmly dismissed claims circulating on social media that she criticised star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and compared him unfavourably to Shreyas Iyer.

The rumour stemmed from a post by an X (formerly Twitter) user, Gurlabh Singh, who claimed that Pant once said, “I could go anywhere but not to Punjab Kings,” during an interview. Singh further alleged that Zinta had responded, saying, “We had both Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer—options we could have taken in the team. But we wanted a big performer, not a big name… so we took Shreyas Iyer.”

Zinta swiftly took to social media to clarify, stating, “I’m so sorry but this is FAKE NEWS!” effectively debunking the post and reaffirming that she had not made such a statement. Her rebuttal comes amid heightened speculation surrounding player transfers and auction strategies in the IPL.

“Fake News”: Why Preity Zinta Said This About Rishabh Pant And Shreyas Iyer

Rishabh Pant, who was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for a record ₹27 crore in 2025 and made captain after replacing KL Rahul, has remained a headline-grabbing figure in the league. Known for his explosive batting and inspiring comeback after a near-fatal car accident in 2022, Pant scored 446 runs in IPL 2024, reaffirming his elite status.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, the composed right-hander from Mumbai, has also had a successful IPL run. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to a title in 2024, he was picked up by Punjab Kings in 2025 for ₹26.75 crore. His leadership and consistent run tally—over 3,100 career runs—have made him a key figure in the franchise’s plans.

The now-debunked statement had caused a flurry of online discussions, with fans debating the merit of both players and the strategies of IPL franchises. Zinta’s swift clarification has quelled the rumours, highlighting the increasing need for vigilance against misinformation in the cricketing world.