Shreyas Iyer starred with the bat as Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in a high-scoring IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (June 1).
Chasing 204 in a high-pressure contest, PBKS needed someone to bat with control and authority. Iyer stepped up and delivered a knock that combined calculated aggression with clarity under pressure.
The PBKS captain slammed 87 not out off 41 balls (5 fours and 8 sixes) to take his team over the finishing line with an over to spare. He was ably supported by Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29) and Josh Inglis (38 off 21).
Speaking at the post-match presentation after collecting the Player-of-the-Match award, Shreyas Iyer said it’s the pressure that makes him thrive.
“I don't know to be honest, I love such big occasions. I always say to myself and also to my colleagues in the team that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, you get the big result,” quoted Iyer.
“Today was a right example where I was focusing more on my breathing rather than sweating out loud over there,” he added.
On chasing a 200+ target in a high-stake fixture, the skipper said: “As I mentioned right before the game that all players need to be assertive and show that intent from ball one. It's just that they weren't able to capitalize on the start they got but the intent was stupendous and even for me, I had to take some time. From the other end, the batsmen were striking pretty well. I know the more time I spend on the field, the better I get and my vision also gets better.”
PBKS were humbled by RCB in Qualifier 1 but for Shreyas, the past doesn’t and shouldn’t bother him and his teammates when they face them again in the IPL 2025 Final on Tuesday (June 3).
“Just throw the imagination and also the hiccup in the bin and not think too much about where we went wrong because throughout the season we've been playing amazing. The intent and the positivity was imperative right from the first game. One match can't define us as a team.”
Shreyas Iyer doesn’t want the success of Qualifier 2 get to their head as he mentioned that ‘job is half done’.
“I'm just staying in the moment right now, I want to cherish this moment, go out to the dressing room and celebrate with my team that we've reached the final. But I personally feel that the job is half done, so not going to think about the final that much. Just be in the moment, rejuvenate, relax, get a massage before tomorrow's game and be in a great mindset,” he remarked.
Talking about his conversations with uncapped players, Iyer said: “I just let them be, I don't ask too much of them, I love the fearless nature that we bring to the table and also the ideas that they share. They would be having a fair set of ideas about how to play that situation. Even though they haven't got that much of experience, they've got the brave nature and on such big occasions, it's important that they gain more experience.”
Iyer also expressed his delight to be around quality people at PBKS. “I wasn't thinking about where I'm going to go (during the auctions), I just wanted to be in a good environment. My mind space is more important than where I'm going, I'm very comfortable with the management and everyone around me have made me feel very comfortable. The environment is always positive,” he concluded.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
