Image: Shreyas Iyer, got the respect he deserved by scoring 111 points against KKR / © Business Standard
Winning the IPL Title as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, then getting released by the team despite being their best player and then coming back next year with a different team and beating the KKR Team, what a journey it has been for the Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer who managed to defend a total of 111 runs against the batting lineup of the Kolkata Knight Riders who has got some power hitters with them in the middle. Shreyas Iyer’s performance in IPL 2025 has not just been about runs or numbers, but it has been about redemption. The former KKR captain was released ahead of the mega-auction despite leading the side to an IPL title.
Iyer later expressed his disappointment, stating that he did not get the recognition he deserved after guiding Kolkata to their third IPL trophy. Picked by Punjab Kings for a whopping 26.75 crore, Iyer seems to have found the perfect platform to prove his worth. In a high-stakes clash against his former side, he turned the narrative around by defending the lowest total in IPL history, just 111 runs. Against his former team, Kolkata Knight Riders, the fans have been calling him one of the Greatest Captains of the IPL, who has been ruling this year with the Punjab Kings.
For a captain like Shreyas Iyer, leadership is all about making the right decisions at the right time, and he proved this once again in an unforgettable IPL 2025 match between the Punjab Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The odds were heavily stacked against the Punjab Kings, who had posted a modest total of just 111 runs. Experts and fans alike gave them only a 2% chance of winning. But Iyer, with his sharp captaincy and brilliant bowling changes, turned the match around in spectacular fashion.
When KKR began their chase, everything seemed to be going according to plan for them. Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi built a solid partnership, moving the score to 55/2 in the powerplay. It looked like the chase was well within their reach, and Punjab Kings seemed to be struggling. By the eighth over, with the match in KKR’s control, Punjab’s chances were slim. But then, Iyer made his move.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy came to the forefront as he made a crucial change. After noticing that the pitch was offering some turn, he decided to bring in Yuzvendra Chahal, even though the spinner had not been at his best in the tournament so far. Iyer’s decision proved to be a masterstroke. Chahal struck almost immediately, trapping Rahane LBW, and suddenly, the momentum shifted. But it didn’t stop there as Chahal, with his calm and composed bowling, then got rid of Rinku Singh by stumping him, leaving KKR in a very tricky position at 76/6.
What stood out in this phase was not just Chahal’s performance but Iyer’s ability to create pressure through his field placements. He placed fielders in key positions to put the batters under constant pressure. His placement for Ramandeep Singh was particularly effective. The young batter, under pressure, made a mistake and handed his wicket away cheaply, leaving KKR in even more trouble. Iyer’s field placements and bowling changes were all about keeping KKR’s batters on edge, making them uncomfortable, and pushing them into errors.
Iyer also turned to his bowlers in critical moments, with Glenn Maxwell playing an important part in the middle overs. Maxwell’s spell helped bring about a change in the match, and this was the moment when Iyer, sensing an opportunity, brought Chahal back into the attack. It was a decision that completely paid off, as Chahal took control and dismantled KKR’s batting order.
As the game progressed, it became clear that KKR was no longer in control. Iyer’s quick thinking and confidence in his bowlers turned a tough situation into a winning one for the Punjab Kings. The wicket of Vaibhav Arora in the 15th over left KKR with just one wicket remaining, and the chase for 112 runs was well and truly over. In the end, Punjab Kings managed to defend their meagre total, winning by a huge margin, and it was all thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s leadership.
Fans and experts alike were in awe of Iyer’s tactical brilliance. He had taken the game from the jaws of defeat to a thrilling victory. Iyer’s decisions to bring in Chahal at just the right time, his field placements that created pressure, and his leadership under pressure were all key factors in Punjab’s remarkable win.
Moreover, some described the victory as “revenge served cold”, pointing out how Iyer, who was not retained by KKR despite leading them to a title, had come back to haunt his former team most memorably. Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy was the key to the Punjab Kings’ success. With his smart bowling changes, perfect field placements, and ability to read the game, Iyer guided his team to one of the most surprising wins in IPL history.