Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings to IPL Final with Young Talent
Shreyas Iyer Reflects on Team Dynamics
After guiding his team to the Indian Premier League (IPL) final through a victory in Qualifier Two, Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer shared insights about his relationship with the team's emerging, uncapped players. He expressed his desire to thrive in a positive environment following his departure from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team he previously led to championship success.
Iyer has made history by becoming the first captain to lead three different franchises—PBKS, Delhi Capitals, and KKR—to the IPL finals.
In the post-match presentation, Iyer elaborated on his mindset during last year's mega auction and his rapport with the current management.
"I wasn't focused on where I would end up during the auctions; my priority was to be in a supportive environment. My mental space is crucial, and I feel very comfortable with the management and my teammates. The atmosphere is consistently positive," Iyer stated.
Empowering Young Players
Iyer emphasized the importance of allowing young, uncapped players the freedom to express themselves and gain valuable experience. He mentioned that he doesn't impose too many expectations on them.
"I let them play freely; I appreciate the fearless attitude they bring and the innovative ideas they contribute. Even with limited experience, they possess a courageous spirit, which is vital during significant matches," he remarked.
Regarding the finals, Iyer mentioned that he is focused on enjoying the moment, acknowledging that their journey is only halfway complete.
"I want to savor this achievement, celebrate with my team for reaching the final. However, I believe the job is only half done, so I won't dwell too much on the final. Instead, I plan to stay present, rejuvenate, and prepare mentally for the next game," he added.
PBKS Advances to Final for the First Time Since 2014
In the match, PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl first. After an early loss of Rohit Sharma, a partnership of 51 runs between Jonny Bairstow (38 runs off 24 balls) and Tilak Varma (44 runs off 29 balls) helped Mumbai Indians (MI) recover. A subsequent 72-run partnership between Tilak and Suryakumar Yadav (44 runs off 26 balls) maintained a healthy run rate, with MI finishing at 203/6 in 20 overs, thanks to a late surge from Naman Dhir (37 runs off 18 balls).
For PBKS, Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler with figures of 2/43, while Kyle Jamieson, Marcus Stoinis, Yuzi Chahal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak each took a wicket.
During the chase, PBKS faced early challenges despite a quickfire innings from Josh Inglis (38 runs off 21 balls). An 84-run partnership between Nehal Wadhera (48 runs off 29 balls) and Iyer helped stabilize the innings. After losing two quick wickets, Iyer's explosive 87* off 41 balls, featuring five fours and eight sixes, led PBKS to a five-wicket victory with an over to spare. Ashwani Kumar was MI's top bowler with 2/55.