In the exciting IPL 2025 match between PBKS and GT, Shreyas Iyer demonstrated an extraordinary act of selflessness when he took a backseat for the betterment of his side, Punjab Kings. The PBKS innings was at the final over, with Iyer on 97*, the captain showed remarkable selflessness and team focus, rather than concern for his hundred. On the other side, ten-ball-old Shashank Singh was in the middle of a power-hitting cameo.
With the match delicately poised, it would have been easy for Iyer to turn his mind to a hundred runs in the IPL after already hitting nine sixes. However, the selfless soul that Iyer is, he told Shashank to keep playing for the team, and not worry about his score. “He told me not to think of his hundred,” said Shashank after the match. “For Iyer to say that took heart and courage as hundreds are precious in T20s.”
Iyer’s unselfishness gave Shashank the opportunity to strike and blasted 23 runs off the final over with five boundaries, leading PBKS to a remarkable total of 243/5. The pair made 81 runs off just 28 balls and Shashank scored 44* off 16. Iyer was not out on 97 off 42 as he demonstrated what it means to be a team player and lead from the front. “I have known him for 15 years, and while unselfishness is not easy at the moment, Shreyas was,” Shashank said. “He just told me to be calm and play my usual shots, and it worked out for the best.”
Chasing 244 was a daunting task for Gujarat Titans, but they kept the pressure on with contributions from Sai Sudharsan (74 off 41) and Jos Buttler. However, PBKS’s Impact Player, Vijaykumar Vyshak, turned the tables with an outstanding bowling performance. Vyshak delivered immaculate yorkers despite heavy dew and restricted GT’s progress, and helped PBKS secure victory.
In the end, Iyer’s leadership, combined with his selfless sacrifice and Shashank’s explosive finishing, steered the Punjab Kings to an 11-run win, marking a great start to their IPL 2025 campaign.
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