Shreyas Iyer delivered one of the greatest IPL playoff performances as Punjab Kings (PBKS) chased down a massive 204-run target against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025, booking their place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Iyer remained unbeaten on 87 off just 41 balls, smashing 5 fours and 8 sixes, and now stands on the brink of IPL history.
Leading from the Front: Shreyas Iyer’s Calm Chase Masterclass
With his back against the wall following a batting collapse in Qualifier 1, Shreyas Iyer responded in style. Anchoring the chase under pressure, he showed composure and class, timing the ball to perfection.
“We lost the battle, not the war,” he had said after PBKS were bundled out for 101 by RCB.
In Qualifier 2, he made sure they won the war.
From guiding a team of largely uncapped Indian players to the final, to being the first player to lead two different franchises into IPL finals, Iyer is shaping up to be one of the most influential captains in league history.
Not Yet Kohli, But Surely Getting There
While Virat Kohli remains the undisputed chase master in white-ball cricket, Iyer is slowly building a reputation of his own. His cool, calculated run-chase on Sunday night reminded fans of Kohli’s many classic finishes.
Having already captained KKR to a title in 2024, Iyer could now become the first captain to win the IPL with two teams, a feat never achieved before.
Even as questions swirl around his exclusion from India’s Test squad for the England tour, Iyer’s IPL form is impossible to ignore. With doubts around his short-ball weakness seemingly behind him, many believe his leadership and form warrant a place in India’s red-ball plans.
PBKS vs RCB: A Final for the Ages Awaits
With Punjab Kings eyeing their first-ever IPL title and RCB chasing their maiden crown too, the 2025 final in Ahmedabad on June 3 promises to be a historic clash.
Whether or not Shreyas Iyer gets spoken of in the same breath as Virat Kohli, one thing is clear — he’s chasing greatness on his own terms.
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