Shreyas Iyer’s Unbeaten 97 Powers Punjab Kings to Victory Over Gujarat Titans
Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a stunning unbeaten 97 to guide Punjab Kings to a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL 2025 clash on Tuesday.
His 42-ball blitz helped Punjab post an imposing 243-5, a total that proved just beyond Gujarat’s reach despite Sai Sudharsan’s valiant 74 off 41 balls. The match, played at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, was a spectacle of power-hitting, with both sides smashing 16 sixes each.
Punjab Kings Dominate With the Bat
After being put in to bat, Iyer wasted no time and set the tone with a boundary off South African pacer Kagiso Rabada before launching a six three balls later.
“It was important for me to adapt. That flicked six off Rabada—I think the momentum changed,” Iyer said after the match.
The Punjab Kings’ innings was further boosted by young left-hander Priyansh Arya, who hammered 47 off 23 balls before falling to Afghanistan’s spin maestro Rashid Khan.
Gujarat’s Sai Kishore struck twice in two balls, including trapping Glenn Maxwell for a first-ball duck, but Marcus Stoinis survived the hat-trick ball.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Iyer held firm and found support from Shashank Singh, who played a blistering 16-ball 44. The duo added 81 runs off just 28 balls, ensuring Punjab finished with a flourish.
Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title last year, has already justified his hefty $3.17 million price tag, delivering a match-winning knock in his very first outing for Punjab.
“Ecstatic, to be honest. Getting 97 not out in the first match is always the icing on the cake,” he said.
Gujarat Titans Fall Short Despite Strong Start
Gujarat began their chase with Shubman Gill (33 off 14) and Sai Sudharsan (74 off 41) firing early, putting Punjab under pressure. The pair stitched together an 84-run partnership with England’s Jos Buttler, who smashed a 50 off 31 balls.
However, Punjab’s bowlers struck back, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh dismissing Sudharsan, and Marco Jansen bowling Buttler just after he reached his fifty.
West Indian Sherfane Rutherford tried to keep Gujarat in the hunt, smashing 46 off 28 balls, but his dismissal in the final over sealed Punjab’s victory.
“We got our chances when we were bowling and batting, but we conceded too many runs at the back end,” said Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill.
Key Takeaways from the Match
✅ *Shreyas Iyer’s 97 (42): A captain’s knock, guiding Punjab to a massive total.
✅ *Shashank Singh’s 44 (16): A late blitz ensured Punjab crossed 240.
✅ Sai Sudharsan’s 74 (41): A promising knock that gave Gujarat a strong start.
✅ Punjab’s Death Bowling: Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen delivered crucial breakthroughs.
Despite a spirited chase, Gujarat Titans fell 11 runs short, marking their first loss of IPL 2025. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have started their campaign on a high and will look to build on this momentum.
What’s Next?
Punjab Kings will aim to continue their winning streak in their upcoming fixture, while Gujarat Titans need to regroup quickly to avoid an early setback in the tournament.
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 updates!
