A heartbroken Shreyas Iyer highlights Krunal Pandya’s spell as the turning point in PBKS’ narrow six-run loss to RCB in the IPL 2025 final
Ahmedabad, June 4: In a nail-biting final that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinch their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer wore a visibly dejected expression as his team came within touching distance of glory, only to fall short by six runs in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night.
The final clash of IPL 2025 saw Punjab chasing a target of 191, but despite spirited performances, RCB managed to hold their nerve, extending Punjab’s long-standing wait for an IPL crown.
“Dejected to be honest,” Shreyas admitted at the post-match presentation. “But the way our boys rose to the occasion — it wasn’t meant to be. A lot of credit goes to the support staff, the owners, and everyone who participated in this journey.”
Despite the heartbreak, Punjab’s campaign was filled with positives. The batting order held up under pressure for most of the chase, and several young stars like Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya dazzled with fearless cricket throughout the tournament. Yet, the final saw momentum shift in Bengaluru’s favor with timely wickets and tight bowling spells.
The turning point, as identified by Shreyas, came in the form of Krunal Pandya’s clinical bowling performance. The experienced all-rounder once again delivered under pressure, returning figures of 2/17 in his four overs — removing both Prabhsimran and Josh Inglis, and strangling the run flow.
“Considering the last game, I personally felt 200 was a par score. They bowled brilliantly, especially Krunal. He carries a lot of experience — that, I believe, was the turning point,” Shreyas said.
Despite missing the trophy, Shreyas remained proud of his team’s journey and especially praised the young guns of Punjab who made their presence felt.
“There are a lot of youngsters playing their first season — they’ve shown so much fearlessness. We wouldn’t be here without them. I’m sure when they come next year, they will carry immense experience with them,” he added.
Looking ahead, the PBKS captain expressed strong optimism and sent out a rallying cry for the next season.
“We have to be here and win the trophy next year,” he declared. “The way we showed up each game believing we could win — I hope we carry that spirit forward and return stronger. We’ll play some good cricket next season.”
While Punjab’s campaign in IPL 2025 ended in heartbreak, the team leaves behind a foundation built on youth, spirit, and resilience — with eyes already fixed firmly on redemption in 2026.