Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer showcased a remarkable act of selflessness that not only inspired his teammate Shashank Singh but also propelled his team to a commanding total of 243 for 5 against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Iyer, who finished unbeaten on 97 off 42 balls, fell just three runs short of a maiden IPL century, a milestone that seemed well within his grasp. However, his decision to prioritise team success over personal glory has earned him widespread admiration with Shashank hailing his skipper's "heart and courage."
With Iyer on 64 and Punjab Kings already in a strong position, Shashank joined him at the crease. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 81-run partnership off just 28 balls with 77 of those runs coming in the last four overs. As the 20th over approached, Iyer, who was batting on 97 had the opportunity to push for his century. Instead, he walked up to Shashank and told him to not worry about his hundred.
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True to his captain’s directive, Shashank unleashed a barrage of boundaries in the final over against Mohammed Siraj, scoring 23 runs and ensuring Punjab finished with their second-highest IPL total ever. Iyer, stranded at the non-striker’s end, faced just four balls in the last three overs but showed no signs of disappointment.
"I didn’t see the scoreboard to be very honest, but after the first ball I hit, I saw Shreyas was on 97. I was going to ask him if I should take a single or something, but he came and told me not to worry about his hundred. It takes a lot of heart and courage to say that because hundreds don’t come easily in T20, especially in the IPL. That gave me even more confidence," Shashank said as quoted after the match.
"It’s a team game, we all know that, but in those situations, it’s difficult to be that selfless,” Shashank added. “Shreyas was one. I’ve known him for the past 15 years, and he’s the same—always calm, always encouraging me to play my natural game. By God’s grace, we had a good finish," he added.
Shashank Singh Lauds Shreyas Iyer's Instinctive Captaincy
Iyer’s selflessness was not the only highlight of his performance. His tactical acumen as captain also shone through. Shashank praised Iyer’s instinctive decision-making, particularly his choice to bring on Vyshak Vijaykumar as an Impact Player at a crucial juncture of the game.
With GT needing 75 runs off 36 balls, the target looked achievable. However, Vyshak gave away just 10 runs in his first two overs, leaving the Titans in a state of disarray. Ultimately, his spell of 0-28 in three overs turned out to be decisive as Punjab Kings won by 11 runs.
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"Shreyas is someone who works on instincts as a captain, which is why he is one of the best captains in the world right now."
"The way Shreyas brought in Vyshak, I felt it was the right time to bring him in. And the way he bowled during the bowling meeting, we planned those things, and this was a planned move. The way he executed the plan was commendable because planning is one thing, and execution is another. He bowled during some tough overs, especially with the dew, and I felt that while fielding," Shashank concluded.
What's Next for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025?
After their 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Punjab Kings will now head to Lucknow. Iyer and Co. will face Lucknow Super Kings (LSG) in their second match of the season scheduled on April 1.
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