Shreyas Iyer produced a scintillating knock to power Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a winning start in IPL 2025

Iyer, who missed the previous season due to injury, made a stunning return to IPL action with a commanding 92* off 54 balls, anchoring Punjab Kings' (PBKS) innings to 211 for 4. His knock, laced with crisp strokeplay and intelligent strike rotation, provided the backbone to PBKS' highest total in two years. Gujarat Titans (GT) put up a spirited chase, led by their captain Shubman Gill (67 off 42) and Rahul Tewatia's late blitz, but they fell 11 runs short, finishing at 200 for 7. Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel bowled tight death overs to deny GT a successful pursuit. Iyer’s composed yet aggressive innings not only underlined his return to form but also showed why PBKS invested in him as a key player this season. "I had told Shashank not to worry about my hundred," Iyer said after the match. "We just needed to get the job done for the team." True to his word, Iyer put the team's needs above personal milestones, showcasing a fearless, team-first approach. His innings was a statement of intent—explosive yet calculated, blending his signature elegant strokeplay with brute force when needed. Before the season, Iyer had emphasized his preference for the No. 3 spot, believing it allowed him to control the innings and accelerate when necessary. Against Gujarat Titans, he did exactly that, pacing his knock brilliantly. His nine sixes were a testament to his evolved game, showing he is not just a touch player but a power-hitter capable of changing gears. For Punjab Kings, this performance is a massive boost, proving they have a leader in their batting lineup who can deliver under pressure. Iyer's innings was a masterclass in calculated aggression, perfectly suited to counter the dew factor at a venue where chasing teams have historically dominated. His ability to pick the right bowlers to attack—whether it was Rabada early, Sai Kishore after his double-strike, or even Rashid Khan—showcased his sharp cricketing mind and confidence in execution. His awareness extended beyond just his batting. The moment he spotted the wide call while at the non-striker’s end in the 15th over and made sure to capitalize on the extra ball with a six was a small but significant display of his attention to detail. A New Face and an Old Face Deliver Priyansh Arya’s debut knock reflected why Ricky Ponting was so excited about him. Taking on world-class bowlers like Siraj and Rabada in the powerplay and emerging as the dominant batter for Punjab early on was a statement of intent. At 24, he showed composure beyond his years. Shashank Singh, on the other hand, proved his worth as a finisher. Walking in with no time to settle, he took the attack straight to the bowlers, finishing with a flourish by dismantling Siraj in the final over. His strike rate and ability to find boundaries in the death overs ensured Punjab didn’t just get a good total but an intimidating one. With Iyer leading from the front, Arya impressing on debut, and Shashank providing the finishing touch, Punjab Kings have sent an early warning to the rest of the IPL. Brief scores: Punjab Kings 243/5 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 97*, Priyansh Arya 47, Shashank Singh 44*; Sai Kishore 3/30) beat Gujarat Titans 232/5 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 74, Jos Buttler 54; Arshdeep Singh 2/36) by 11 runs