Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 25: Shreyas Iyer has long been criticized for his struggles against short-pitched deliveries, but in the 2025 IPL season, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain has turned that weakness into a remarkable strength. His latest performance against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad, where he blasted an unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls, proved this transformation.
Until the end of 2024, Iyer had averaged a modest 18.3 while playing the pull and hook shots against pacers across formats, albeit at an impressive strike rate of 158. While his aggressive intent was clear, it also exposed a vulnerability that opposing bowlers frequently exploited. However, in 2025, the story has changed. Iyer now averages a staggering 88 on these shots, with a blistering strike rate of 226, turning what was once considered a risky option into a dominant weapon, according to the CricViz Analyst.
This newfound mastery was on full display on Tuesday as Iyer tore into the Gujarat bowlers, playing an array of authoritative pull shots. His commanding innings played a pivotal role in helping Punjab post a massive 243/5. Iyer’s controlled aggression and ability to tackle short-pitched bowling have elevated his game, marking a new chapter in his batting evolution.
Gujarat won the toss and elected to bowl first. Punjab’s debutant Priyansh Arya set the tone early, helping the team reach 50 in just 4.3 overs. Arya played a blistering knock of 47 off 23 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes, before falling to Rashid Khan, leaving PBKS at 79/2.
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made an immediate impact, launching a six off Rashid Khan on the first ball he faced. However, his innings was cut short as he was dismissed for 16 off 15 balls by Sai Kishore, who struck twice in quick succession by trapping Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck.
Marcus Stoinis then joined Iyer, and the pair put together a crucial 57-run stand before Stoinis was dismissed for 20 by Sai Kishore. Punjab crossed the 200-run mark in 17.4 overs, with Iyer and Shashank Singh accelerating towards the end. Their explosive 81-run partnership helped PBKS post a mammoth total, with Iyer finishing unbeaten on 97 and Shashank contributing a fiery 44 off just 16 balls.
For Gujarat, Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets for 30 runs, while Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada each took one wicket. However, the GT bowlers had a tough outing against Punjab’s aggressive batting display.
Now, Gujarat faces a daunting task of chasing down 244 runs to secure their first win of the season.
Brief score: Punjab Kings 243/5 (Shreyas Iyer 97*, Priyansh Arya 47; Sai Kishore 3/30) vs. Gujarat Titans