Shreyas Iyer is the primary captain to steer 3 totally different groups to the IPL finals after PBKS arrange RCB date for IPL 2025 summit conflict.
12 months since ending Kolkata Knight Riders’ wait for an IPL title, Shreyas Iyer will face yet another IPL final. Leading the Punjab Kings, Shreyas led from the front as PBKS knocked out Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad. Chasing 204 to win, the PBKS skipper smashed an unbeaten 87, setting up an IPL 2025 final clash against RCB on June 3.
Shreyas Iyer leads Punjab Kings charge to an IPL final after 11 years
Punjab Kings last played an IPL Final in 2014. Come 2025, Punjab Kings’ faith in Shreyas Iyer has paid off. Iyer, who guided KKR to a win last season, was unceremoniously released before IPL 2025. Defending champions KKR opted to splurge Rs 23.75 crore on Venkatesh Iyer, than retain their title winning skipper.
At PBKS, Shreyas Iyer has proved to be worth every penny. The second most expensive player in history, the 30-year-old has led by example in a career-best run. Shreyas has 603 runs in 16 games in IPL 2025, striking at 175.80. He has hit 39 sixes, the most by a player this season.
While Gautam Gambhir took all the praise for guiding KKR to win last year, Shreyas Iyer has proved his mettle as a captain. He became the first player to lead 3 different franchises to an IPL final, when no other player has done it with two teams. When his side looked in trouble vs MI, Shreyas chipped in with a captain’s knock. Mumbai Indians had never lost defending 200+ in their history, but Shreyas and PBKS rewrote that script. His 87* is the second-highest score by a captain in the IPL playoffs, behind David Warner’s 93* vs GL in the 2016 Qualifier 2.
Not just vs MI, Shreyas has captained PBKS effectively throughout the season. He has given PBKS’ contingent of uncapped batters the freedom to play their shots. Prabhsimran Singh has had a 500+ run season, while Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera have chipped in with vital cameos. With the ball Arshdeep Singh has been ever-present, and they have found a way around Yuzvendra Chahal’s indifferent form.
Will Shreyas help Punjab end their 18-year wait?
Iyer’s bat and captaincy have taken Punjab Kings to within touching distance of ending their IPL drought. The Kings are among the three original teams to have never won the trophy. However, they will go up against one of those teams, with RCB already in the final. Shreyas aced the conditions at Ahmedabad on Sunday and will hope to do so again on Tuesday in the IPL Final.
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IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: Punjab Kings attain IPL Last after 11 years, all credit score to Shreyas Iyer
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