Shashank, who had just walked in to face the final over, was instructed by Iyer to focus solely on hitting the ball for boundaries without worrying about giving him strike. Shashank’s aggressive mindset paid off, as he struck five fours in the final over, taking 23 runs off it and propelling PBKS to a massive total of 243/5. The final score proved too much for Gujarat Titans, as PBKS won by 11 runs.

Shashank’s Confidence Boost from Iyer’s Words

“I didn’t see the scoreboard initially, but after hitting the first ball, I noticed Shreyas was on 97,” Shashank said after the match. “I was going to ask him if I should take a single, but he told me not to worry about his hundred. It takes a lot of heart and courage to say that, and it gave me even more confidence.”

The pair added an unbeaten 81 runs in just 28 balls, with Shashank finishing on 44* off 16 balls and Iyer on 97* off 42. Despite his career-best knock, Iyer’s selflessness in the crucial moments highlighted his leadership qualities and commitment to the team over personal milestones.

Iyer’s Impact as Captain

Shashank spoke highly of Iyer’s captaincy, saying, “Shreyas is someone who works on instincts, and that’s why he’s one of the best captains in the world right now. It was the right time to bring in Vyshak, and the way he executed the plan was commendable.” Iyer’s ability to inspire and guide his teammates under pressure was evident, and the team’s successful finish was a reflection of his leadership.

Vyshak’s Game-Changing Performance

While the batting fireworks took center stage, Punjab’s bowling was also crucial in limiting Gujarat’s chase. Vijaykumar Vyshak bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 10 runs in his first two overs and maintaining pressure on the Titans’ batsmen. Vyshak’s yorkers in the death overs helped slow the chase, preventing GT from reaching the daunting target.

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Match Summary:

Punjab Kings 243 for 5 (Iyer 97*, Arya 47, Shashank 44*, Sai Kishore 3-30)
Gujarat Titans 232 for 5 (Sudharsan 74, Buttler 54, Rutherford 46, Gill 33, Arshdeep 2-36)

Iyer’s Masterclass in Ahmedabad

Iyer, returning as PBKS’ captain, showcased his intent early on, smashing Kagiso Rabada for a six in just his fourth ball. His innings, which featured nine sixes, proved crucial in setting up a mammoth target. Despite being just three runs short of a century, Iyer prioritized the team’s total over personal milestones, instructing his partner Shashank to keep attacking in the final over.

Emerging Stars Shine for PBKS

Priyansh Arya lived up to the hype, dominating the powerplay with eight boundaries against quality bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Rabada. Meanwhile, Shashank Singh played a game-changing cameo, hammering 44* off 16 balls, including a final over blitz against Siraj that yielded 23 runs.

GT’s Response: Sudharsan and Buttler’s Resistance

Sai Sudharsan, who had previously scored a century in an IPL final at this venue, continued his strong form with a blistering 74 off 41 balls. He was well supported by Jos Buttler, who notched up a fifty in his debut match for GT. However, their efforts fell short as Punjab’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs.

Vyshak’s Game-Changing Impact

Vyshak Vijaykumar played a crucial role as an Impact Player, delivering two pinpoint death overs that stalled GT’s momentum. His relentless blockhole bowling in the 15th and 17th overs conceded just 10 runs, restricting GT to 50 runs in the final five overs—far short of PBKS’ explosive 77-run finish.

Key Performances:

• Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): 97* (42) – Match-winning knock with 9 sixes
• Sai Sudharsan (GT): 74 (41) – Kept GT in the chase with a fluent innings
• Shashank Singh (PBKS): 44* (16) – Blistering finish to PBKS’ innings
• Priyansh Arya (PBKS): 47 (26) – Explosive powerplay batting on debut
• Sai Kishore (GT): 3-30 – Best bowling figures in a high-scoring contest
• Vyshak Vijaykumar (PBKS): 2-overs spell that turned the game in PBKS’ favor

With this win, PBKS have made a strong start to their IPL 2025 campaign, while GT will be looking to bounce back in their next game.

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