June 8, 2025: Punjab Kings’ vice-captain Shashank Singh has candidly admitted that he fully deserved the heated reaction he received from captain Shreyas Iyer during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash against Mumbai Indians — going as far as saying, “Iyer should have slapped me.”
The incident in question occurred in the 17th over of PBKS’ record 204-run chase, when Shashank was run out after a lazy start and lacklustre running between the wickets. The dismissal put added pressure on Iyer, who single-handedly carried the team home with an unbeaten 87 off just 41 deliveries.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Shashank didn’t mince words about his lapse in judgment:
“I was casual, I was walking on the beach, not even in the garden. It was a crucial time. Shreyas was clear that he didn’t expect this from me. I deserved to be shouted at — even slapped. My father didn’t speak to me till the finals.”
The run-out clip — and Iyer’s visible frustration — went viral on social media, where fans criticized Iyer’s language and aggressive body language. However, Shashank revealed that there were no hard feelings between the two, and Iyer even made amends with a dinner outing:
“Later, he took me out for dinner.”
“No Better Captain Than Shreyas Iyer”
Despite the fiery exchange, Shashank had nothing but praise for Iyer’s leadership, calling him the best captain in world cricket right now.
“Whatever I have seen and heard from others, there’s no better captain than Shreyas currently. He gives freedom, treats everyone equally, and listens. He’s the only captain who has said anyone can come forward with suggestions during a match — and if it’s good, he’ll use it.”
PBKS eventually reached the IPL final but lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Shashank had a solid season himself, scoring 341 runs at a strike rate of 153, ending as PBKS’ second-highest run-getter.
With a blend of brutal honesty and respect, Shashank’s words not only shed light on the intense dynamics of elite-level cricket but also reflect the high standards and leadership qualities that define Shreyas Iyer’s growing legacy.