By IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer’s Masterclass Leads Punjab Kings to Victory Over Gujarat Titans
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Punjab Kings got off to a flying start, courtesy of Priyansh Arya, who hammered a quickfire 47 off just 23 balls. Arya showed no hesitation in attacking GT’s pace attack, dispatching Mohammed Siraj for a six and a four early on. The young batter continued his aggressive approach, taking Arshad Khan apart for 21 runs in a single over.
However, PBKS suffered a setback when Kagiso Rabada dismissed Prabhsimran Singh early in the innings. That brought in new captain Shreyas Iyer, who immediately stamped his authority with an exquisite boundary through cover before sending Rabada for a towering six over deep square leg.
The introduction of spin saw Rashid Khan providing GT with a breakthrough, dismissing the well-set Arya as he misjudged a sharply turning delivery. Azmatullah Omarzai came in and signaled his intent by smacking Rashid for a first-ball six, but his stay at the crease was short-lived as he was bowled by R Sai Kishore. The left-arm spinner struck again immediately, sending Glenn Maxwell back to the pavilion, reducing PBKS to 105/4.
Despite the setbacks, Iyer remained unfazed. He reached his half-century in just 27 balls and accelerated further, hammering Sai Kishore for two huge sixes in an over. He continued his onslaught against Rashid Khan, smashing back-to-back sixes down the ground. With Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh playing valuable cameos, PBKS amassed a staggering 135 runs in the last eight overs, setting a formidable target of 244.
GT’s Chase Falls Short
Gujarat Titans came out with an aggressive mindset, with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan stitching together a rapid 61-run opening stand in just under six overs. However, Gill fell for a quick 33 off 14 balls, giving Punjab an early breakthrough.
Jos Buttler then joined Sudharsan at the crease, and the duo kept GT in the hunt with a brisk 84-run partnership. Sudharsan, looking set for a big score, attempted a whip off Arshdeep Singh but failed to get the required elevation, resulting in his dismissal at a crucial juncture.
With Buttler still at the crease and dew making conditions favorable for batting, GT had hope. Sherfane Rutherford added to the momentum by smashing two sixes and a four off Marcus Stoinis. However, impact substitute Vijaykumar Vyshak turned the game in PBKS’s favor, bowling a tight 15th over that yielded just five runs.
Marco Jansen further tightened the screws, conceding only eight runs in the 16th over, leaving GT with 70 runs to chase from the final five overs. Vyshak maintained the pressure, bowling another disciplined over, leaving GT needing 57 runs off the last three overs—an almost impossible equation.
Despite some late hitting, GT fell short, managing 232/5 at the end of their 20 overs.
Shreyas Iyer’s sensational 97 powers Punjab Kings to a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans despite Sudharsan and Buttler’s fighting knocks
Key Takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer’s Heroics: The PBKS skipper played a captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls, showing remarkable improvement against short-pitched deliveries.
- Shashank Singh’s Late Surge: His 16-ball 44 provided PBKS with the perfect finishing touch, ensuring a mammoth total.
- GT’s Middle-Order Struggles: Despite a solid platform laid by Sudharsan and Buttler, GT couldn’t accelerate effectively in the final overs.
- Vyshak and Jansen’s Impact: Their disciplined bowling at the death played a crucial role in PBKS’s victory.
With this victory, Punjab Kings announced themselves as serious contenders in IPL 2025, while Gujarat Titans will look to address their bowling concerns in the upcoming matches.
