Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer credits aggressive mindset, sharp field placements, and Chahal’s spell for defending the lowest total in IPL history
Mullanpur (Punjab), April 16: After Punjab Kings pulled off an astonishing 16-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders — defending the lowest total ever in Indian Premier League history — skipper Shreyas Iyer revealed how an aggressive field setup and attacking mindset turned the game in their favour.
Also Read: IPL 2025- Historic Defence: Punjab Kings Defend Record-Low Total of 111 to Stun KKR
“We wanted the field to be attacking — right in front of their face so they make mistakes,” Iyer said after the match, summing up the team’s fearless approach as they defended a modest total of 111 runs.
It was a masterclass in belief and pressure-building as Punjab’s bowlers, led by Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28) and Marco Jansen (3/17), stunned the defending champions by bundling them out for 95 in just 15.1 overs.
🧠 Captain’s Tactics on Display
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer explained how the nature of the pitch, which offered variable bounce and grip, informed his aggressive field placements and bowling changes.
“When I faced the first two balls, one stayed low and the other hit the bottom of the bat. We had this in the back of our mind and asked our bowlers to exploit it,” he said.
“When Yuzi came in and turned the ball, we raised our expectations and turned the tide by forcing pressure.”
📉 From Record Defeat to Redemption
Interestingly, Iyer was captain of KKR last season when Punjab chased down a record 262. This year, he stood tall as PBKS skipper, overseeing the lowest successful defence in IPL history, making it a full-circle moment in his T20 leadership journey.
Despite the euphoria, Iyer urged his side to stay grounded.
“It’s important we don’t get over-hyped. Wins like these are special, but the real challenge is to carry this momentum forward,” he said.
🏏 Match Highlights:
- PBKS 111 (15.3): Prabhsimran Singh (30), Priyansh Arya (22); Harshit Rana (3/25), Narine (2/14)
- KKR 95 (15.1): Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37), Andre Russell (17); Chahal (4/28), Jansen (3/17)
📊 Updated Points Table:
- PBKS – 4th | 4 Wins | 8 Points
- KKR – 6th | 3 Wins | 6 Points
With belief, bold fielding, and smart captaincy, Shreyas Iyer has etched PBKS’s name in IPL history, not just for a remarkable win — but for leading from the front with clarity and conviction.