IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer - A Tale of Two Seasons
Contrasting Fortunes in IPL 2025
In November, a fierce competition unfolded between Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer as they vied for the title of the highest-paid player in IPL 2025. Pant narrowly surpassed Iyer by Rs 0.25 crore on the final day of the auction, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. However, since that moment, Iyer has been the one thriving in the dressing room.
The two players have experienced vastly different seasons in IPL 2025, particularly in terms of their roles as captains and their batting performances. Iyer, now at the helm of PBKS, has shown remarkable consistency, stepping up in crucial moments and leading effectively. In stark contrast, Pant has struggled significantly with his batting, and his Rs 27 crore price tag now seems burdensome for his franchise.
Both athletes are captaining new franchises after being released by their previous teams, yet their leadership styles differ greatly. Iyer has exhibited composure and maturity, providing support to his team even during defeats. Conversely, Pant tends to shift blame onto others; following a recent loss to PBKS, he pointed fingers at fielding mistakes while overlooking his own lackluster batting performance.
Looking at the statistics, Iyer has amassed 405 runs over 11 innings, boasting an impressive average of 50.62 and a remarkable strike rate of 180.80. He has achieved four half-centuries and has scored above 30 five times, with his highest score being an unbeaten 97.
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In contrast, Pant's IPL 2025 journey began with a golden duck against PBKS, the same team he faced again on Sunday. Since that initial match, his performance has been disappointing. Across 10 innings, he has only managed 128 runs, averaging 12.8 with a sluggish strike rate of 99.22. His best performance has been a lackluster 63 against CSK, and he has only hit 6 sixes and 11 fours throughout the season. Notably, Pant has scored less than 10 runs in 6 of his 10 innings.