Punjab Kings’ record $3.17 million acquisition of Shreyas Iyer proved its worth as the 30-year-old displayed exemplary leadership in their high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) win against Gujarat Titans.
Despite being on the brink of a well-deserved century, Iyer selflessly allowed his batting partner Shashank Singh to capitalize on the final over, leading Punjab to a formidable total of 243-5. Iyer’s blistering 97 not out from 42 balls, featuring nine sixes and five fours, was a testament to his explosive form.
A Captain’s Selfless Decision
Shashank Singh, who hammered 44 not out off 16 balls, highlighted Iyer’s generosity, recalling how the skipper encouraged him to go for big shots instead of aiming for a personal milestone. “It takes a lot of heart and courage to say that,” Shashank remarked, acknowledging Iyer’s rare display of sportsmanship.
Punjab’s Strong Finish
The final over fireworks, where Shashank smashed five fours, added 23 vital runs to Punjab’s total. Iyer emphasized how those additional runs played a crucial role in the final outcome. “Getting those extra 40 runs after the 200, we had set that as the benchmark,” Iyer said.
Gujarat’s Valiant Effort Falls Short
In response, Gujarat Titans showed resilience with Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler leading the chase. Despite a late push from Sherfane Rutherford (46 off 23 balls), Gujarat fell short at 232-5. Punjab’s pacer Arshdeep Singh effectively defended 27 runs in the last over, sealing the victory.
A Bright Future for Punjab Kings
Iyer’s leadership and team-first mentality, combined with Punjab’s aggressive batting approach, could be a game-changer for the franchise. With renewed confidence, Punjab Kings will be hoping to break their underdog status and make a serious playoff run this season.
