IPL 2025: Captain’s Knock! Shreyas Iyer’s 97 Powers Punjab Kings to Thrilling Win Over Gujarat Titans

Iyer lauds Shashank Singh’s cameo and Arshdeep’s clutch bowling as PBKS kick off IPL 2025 with a statement victory

Ahmedabad, March 26: Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 97* off 42 balls, guiding his team to a thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in their IPL 2025 opener on Tuesday. His blazing knock earned him the Player of the Match award and helped PBKS post a daunting total of 243/5.

Speaking after the game, Iyer described his innings as a perfect start to the season.
“Getting 97 not out in the opening game is the icing on the cake. That first boundary gave me confidence, and the flicked six off Rabada really got me going,” said Iyer.

He was full of praise for Shashank Singh, who hammered 44 off just 16 balls, helping PBKS accelerate at the death.
“Shashank’s knock was crucial. Scoring 44 in just 16-17 balls set the tone. We had set a benchmark and we went for it,” Iyer added.

PBKS not only excelled with the bat but also executed their bowling strategy well in the second innings. Arshdeep Singh, who returned with figures of 2/36, played a pivotal role in the death overs with accurate wide yorkers.
“Arshdeep was key. He noticed the ball was reversing a bit, which helped our plan to bowl wide yorkers early. His wicket of Sai changed the momentum,” Iyer revealed.

The skipper emphasized the role of preparation in the team’s success.
“We left no stone unturned during pre-season. Our meetings were collaborative—everyone brought ideas, not just me. That helped us execute better. We’ll look to carry this momentum forward,” he concluded.

With this emphatic victory, Punjab Kings have announced themselves as serious contenders in IPL 2025.

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Tags: Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh, cricket, match highlights, PBKS vs GT, player of the match, captain innings

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