March 26, 2025: Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in a high-scoring encounter in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Defending a massive total of 243/5, Punjab held off Gujarat’s challenge, who finished with 232/5, sealing a nail-biting win.
Following the match, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer shared his thoughts on the game and the strategy behind their approach. Shreyas mentioned that the team was focused on setting a big target for Gujarat, knowing the strength of their batting lineup. “We wanted to post a massive total on the board because we knew Gujarat Titans have a solid batting lineup, and in IPL, it’s never over until it’s over,” Shreyas said in a post-match interview.
A key moment in the match came when Shreyas encouraged his teammate Shashank Singh to go for big shots during the final overs, even though Shreyas himself was nearing a hundred. Shreyas, who had been playing a blistering knock, told Shashank not to worry about his own hundred, adding that he would get it in the next match. “I asked him to go for big shots. Don’t look at my hundred; I’ll get it in the next match,” Shreyas explained, emphasizing the importance of team goals over individual milestones.
Shreyas also reflected on his interaction with Priyansh Arya, another teammate, advising him to stay focused on controlling his shape while batting. He acknowledged the impact of Shashank’s performance last year in motivating the team. “I got motivated by watching your batting last year, which gave me solid confidence. The way you came in and smashed the ball from the third ball—those 44 runs you made had a big impact,” Shreyas praised.
Shashank, who made a valuable contribution with 44 runs, was instrumental in PBKS’ late surge. His aggressive batting helped the team reach a commanding total, setting the platform for their win. Shreyas expressed his hope that Shashank would continue in this rich vein of form.
Punjab Kings’ victory was a collective team effort, with Shreyas Iyer’s 97* and Shashank Singh’s fiery knock playing a pivotal role in their successful defense. The win lifted PBKS’ confidence as they continued their IPL 2025 campaign with a hard-fought victory over the Gujarat Titans.