In Punjab Kings' (PBKS) IPL 2025 opener against Gujarat
Titans (GT), captain Shreyas Iyer found himself on the verge of his maiden IPL
century. He stood at 97 off 42 balls, but in the final over, he didn’t get a
chance to face a single ball. Instead, Shashank Singh, coming in at No. 7, took
the strike and hammered Mohammed Siraj for five fours, gathering 23 runs and
pushing PBKS’ total to a formidable 243/5.
Despite being just three runs away from the milestone,
Shreyas made it clear to his teammate that personal records weren’t the
priority. “Don’t think about my hundred; just hit as many boundaries as you
can,” Shashank revealed during the innings break on Star Sports.
Shreyas’ Selfless Mindset
Between the 17th and 20th overs, Shreyas faced only four
balls, scoring seven runs. Though a century was within his reach, his focus
remained on maximizing the team’s total. His message to Shashank was not just
words—it was a demonstration of leadership and selflessness that ultimately
helped PBKS secure an 11-run victory in the high-scoring match.
Shashank, who made a name for himself as a finisher in the
previous IPL season, responded perfectly to his captain’s instructions. He
smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls, including six fours and two sixes,
ensuring Punjab had a strong finish.
Shashank’s Perspective: ‘I Didn’t Look at the Scoreboard’
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Shashank admitted
that he hadn’t realized Shreyas was close to his century until he briefly
glanced at the scoreboard.
“I didn’t look at the scoreboard. After the first ball I
hit, I glanced at it and saw that Shreyas was on 97. I didn’t say anything. He
only came and said, ‘Shashank, don’t worry about my 100.’ Obviously, I was
going to ask, ‘Should I give you a single or something?’ but it takes a lot of
heart and courage to say that. Hundreds don’t come easy in IPL,” Shashank said.
Shreyas’ unselfish approach motivated Shashank even more.
“The way that Shreyas told me, ‘Go and hit every ball for a boundary or six,’
that gave me even more confidence. It’s a team game, but it’s difficult to be
selfless at that moment. Shreyas was. I have known him for the past 10-15
years, and he is still the same. By God’s grace, we had a good finish,” he
added.
Shreyas’ Captaincy Decisions Played a Crucial Role
Beyond his personal sacrifice, Shreyas’ captaincy decisions
were instrumental in PBKS’ victory. With a high total to defend and dew on the
outfield, he introduced Vijaykumar Vyshak as an Impact Substitute after the
13th over. The right-arm pacer effectively restricted well-set batters Jos
Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford with his precise wide yorkers, helping Punjab
maintain their grip on the match.
“Shreyas is one of the best captains. He works on his
instincts. Even I feel that was the right time to get Vijaykumar Vyshak (as an
Impact Sub),” Shashank praised.
A Statement of Team Spirit
Shreyas Iyer’s actions in this game set an example of true
leadership—placing the team’s success over individual milestones. While he may
have missed out on his century, his selfless approach ensured PBKS started
their IPL 2025 campaign with a statement victory.
In a tournament where personal records often take center
stage, Shreyas’ decision to prioritize team success over personal glory has
earned him immense respect from fans and teammates alike. His actions serve as
a reminder that cricket, at its core, is a team game where collective triumph
matters more than individual accolades.