Shreyas Iyer is no longer just a promising name in Indian cricket — he is becoming a towering presence in the white-ball format. Already a match-winner in ODIs and with his spot firmly secured in India’s 50-over setup, Iyer is now thundering back into the T20I conversation with resounding authority. His recent exploits in the Indian Premier League are a loud, unmistakable call for reinstatement to the national T20 side — and it’s one that cannot be ignored much longer.
The IPL 2025 will crown a new champion. Punjab Kings, a franchise too often associated with near-misses and underachievement, have bulldozed their way into the final for only the second time in 18 seasons. Yesterday, they crushed the five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to book a showdown with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3. And at the heart of this resurgence stands their talismanic skipper — Shreyas Iyer.
After a bruising defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1, where Punjab Kings collapsed under the weight of an overcooked aggressive approach, Iyer stood tall. He didn’t deflect. He didn’t deflate. Instead, he declared: “We have lost the battle, but not the war.” And he meant every word.
When Punjab’s second shot at the final came, Iyer led with the authority of a man possessed. Facing a formidable 204-run target against a resurgent Mumbai Indians, the skipper unleashed one of the most audacious and imperious knocks of the tournament — an unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls.
The numbers were staggering: eight sixes, five fours, a strike rate of 212.80, and a partnership worth 84 off 47 balls with the uncapped Nehal Wadhera that turned the tide of the game. Iyer decimated yorkers from Jasprit Bumrah, launched missiles into the stands, and stole the contest from under Mumbai’s nose.
“I don’t know to be honest, I love such big occasions. I always say to myself and to my colleagues in the team that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, you get the big results. Today was a right example where I was focusing more on my breathing rather than sweating out there,” said Iyer after scripting what was arguably the innings of the season.
As for Mumbai Indians, it was heartbreak after a stunning turnaround in the second half of the campaign. Having slumped with five defeats in their first six matches, they resurrected their season in style, winning seven of their last eight and steamrolling Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. But when it mattered most, they were outclassed — out-thought, out-fought, and outplayed — by a Punjab side that held its nerve and delivered when it counted.
Hardik Pandya’s men fought bravely, but they ran into a leader who had already declared war — and meant every syllable. Shreyas Iyer isn’t just leading Punjab Kings into an IPL final. He’s making a thunderous case to lead Indian cricket’s next chapter in the shortest format.
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