IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer Stars as PBKS Triumph Over Gujarat Titans by 11 Runs
Punjab Kings 243/5 (Iyer 97*, Arya 47, Shashank 44*, Sai Kishore 3-30)
defeated
Gujarat Titans 232/5 (Sudharsan 74, Buttler 54, Rutherford 46, Gill 33, Arshdeep 2-36) by 11 runs.
The spotlight in IPL 2025 has been firmly on new and returning players, and Ahmedabad was no exception. Last season’s title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, made a statement with a match-winning knock, leading Punjab Kings to their second-highest total ever. His heroics, supported by contributions from Arya and Shashank, powered PBKS to a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans.
Iyer Walks the Talk
Shreyas Iyer had a century within reach, sitting on 97 off 42 balls when the final over began. Yet, he didn’t face a single delivery, having assured his partner, Shashank Singh, to focus on the team’s total rather than his milestone. Before the season, Iyer made it clear he wanted to bat at No. 3, and against Gujarat Titans, he demonstrated just how destructive he can be from that position. His career-best IPL knock featured nine sixes—only once in this tournament has he cleared the boundary more times. It was a calculated approach, showcasing his intent to dominate.
Shreyas Iyer knew Punjab Kings needed a massive total on a ground where chasing teams had won five of the last six IPL games. With heavy dew setting in on Tuesday evening, he made the most of every scoring opportunity.
Iyer set the tone early, flicking his fourth ball for six off Kagiso Rabada. He then took on Sai Kishore, smashing two sixes right after the spinner had taken two wickets in two balls. Even Rashid Khan wasn’t spared—two of Iyer’s nine sixes came off the Afghan leg-spinner, who finished with figures of 4-0-48-1.
So locked in was Iyer that he even spotted a wide from the non-striker’s end in the 15th over. When he took strike for the extra ball, he sent that for six too—an example of his razor-sharp focus and aggressive intent.
A New Face and an Old Hand
Priyansh Arya lived up to the hype after receiving pre-season praise from coach Ricky Ponting. The 24-year-old left-handed opener dominated the powerplay, smashing eight of Punjab Kings’ 12 boundaries—an impressive feat against bowlers of the caliber of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.
On the other end of the innings, Shashank Singh played a game-changing cameo. With the death overs approaching, he wasted no time, facing just 16 balls but sending half of them to the boundary. His most impactful moment came in the final over when he took Siraj apart, helping Punjab rack up 23 crucial runs to close out their innings in style.
Sudharsan Shines
Sai Sudharsan seems to have a knack for delivering on the big stage. The last time he batted in Ahmedabad, he smashed a century in the IPL final against CSK. Once again, he showcased his class, scoring a fluent 74 off 41 balls, accelerating when Gujarat Titans racked up 87 runs between the ninth and 14th overs. At that point, GT were 30 runs ahead of Punjab’s pace (169 vs 139) with two fewer wickets lost.
Sudharsan’s adaptability across formats is becoming increasingly evident. While T20 may not be his most natural game—requiring an extra gear he’s still developing—his technique and temperament make him a compelling candidate for longer formats. With an England tour on the horizon and two seasons of first-class experience there, a Test call-up might not be far away.
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler, batting at No. 3 for his new franchise, also made an impact, bringing up a solid half-century in his first major outing for GT.
Big Impact from Vyshak
Vijaykumar Vyshak made an immediate impact after being subbed in, taking charge of the crucial 15th over. With heavy dew making grip difficult, he had one clear objective—nail the blockhole. While some deliveries turned into wide full-tosses, he remained unfazed, sticking to his full-length strategy with unwavering focus.
Across two key overs (15th and 17th), Vyshak delivered every single ball at a full length, including the extras, refusing to offer anything hittable on a good length. His clarity of execution paid off, conceding just 10 runs in those 12 balls and completely stalling Gujarat Titans’ momentum. While Punjab Kings exploded for 77 runs in their final five overs, Titans could only manage 50—largely due to Vyshak’s precision under pressure.
