Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings to IPL 2025 Final with Stellar Performance
Shreyas Iyer's Captaincy Shines in IPL 2025
On the anniversary of ending KKR's title drought, Shreyas Iyer has once again reached the IPL final, this time with the Punjab Kings. In Qualifier 2 against the Mumbai Indians held in Ahmedabad, Iyer showcased his leadership skills by scoring an impressive unbeaten 87 runs, steering PBKS to their first IPL 2025 final against RCB on June 3.
The last time Punjab Kings made it to the IPL final was back in 2014, making their faith in Iyer seem well-placed. Surprisingly, he was released before IPL 2025 despite leading KKR to victory in 2024. Instead of retaining their championship-winning captain, KKR opted to invest ₹23.75 crore in Venkatesh Iyer.
A 1⃣1⃣ year wait ends... 🥹#PBKS are in the #TATAIPL 2025 Final and who better than Captain Shreyas Iyer to take them through ❤
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/vILymKxqXp
Iyer has exceeded expectations at PBKS, becoming the second most expensive player in IPL history. The 30-year-old has led from the front, accumulating 603 runs in 16 matches with an impressive strike rate of 175.80, including 39 sixes—the highest in the league this season.
While last season's accolades went to Gambhir for KKR's triumph, this year, Iyer's leadership has been evident through his actions. He is the first captain to lead three different franchises to IPL finals, a feat no one else has achieved even twice. After PBKS faced challenges, Iyer rose to the occasion against MI, breaking Mumbai's unbeaten streak when defending totals over 200 with his stellar performance.
Iyer's contributions extend beyond individual performances; he has effectively guided young, uncapped players like Prabhsimran Singh, who has scored over 500 runs, and provided opportunities to Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera, who have stepped up when needed. Arshdeep Singh has also been a consistent threat with the ball, helping the team manage Yuzvendra Chahal's fluctuating form.
With his strategic thinking and batting prowess, Iyer has brought PBKS to the brink of a historic achievement. As one of the original franchises yet to claim the trophy, they are now just one victory away, facing another team with a similar quest—RCB. Shreyas aims to conclude this season on a high note in the final on Tuesday.