Shreyas Iyer’s recent IPL innings set an example of selflessness in T20 cricket. He was one hit away from hitting his first IPL century, but he chose not to keep the strike and instead concentrated on what was better for the team. Iyer's decision illustrates the attitude of T20 cricket: get as many runs as possible without caring about putting personal goals.

Aakash Chopra brought out what Iyer did differently, contrasting it with how players in the modern game have used the opportunity of getting set to change the course of the game for themselves. The lesson, as always, in a short, fast-paced version of the game like T20 is that it is always better to look out for the bigger picture. The importance of individual achievement should come after the team’s.

Iyer was only one hit away from his first IPL century. Didn’t get the strike thereafter. Didn’t ask for it either. And it’s set a nice example for everyone.
T20 cricket is all about maximising every ball…whoever is hitting, keeps hitting. No personal milestones are bigger than…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 26, 2025

Also Read: Yuzi and Dhanashree’s divorce: The reason behind their separation!

The game as such has witnessed the sad picture of players in the chases, slowing down in an attempt to reach set milestones, and there are so many attempts made, but what came out was the best team-oriented result. Iyer’s innings is strikingly typical and doesn’t reflect that simplistic ethos of cricket, where every run scored is deemed to be better than a personal milestone. His decision to not engage in strike farming indicates the mindset of the wearer of the modern game: wider game picture thinking.

Chopra didn’t name names; however, it sparked a whole new debate about younger players, most especially more experienced players who the statement was about, and whether the whole “farming the strike” debate is really about Kohli and other senior players.

Also Read: IPL 2025: RR vs KKR Dream11 Prediction 6th Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

Regardless of comparisons, Iyer’s act of putting the team first is a commendable example for upcoming cricketers. It reinforces that while centuries are celebrated, true greatness lies in playing selfless cricket that benefits the entire team.

Shreyas Iyer's Inspiring Comeback: Setback to Success
Shreyas Iyer, India's best cricketer, has had a journey full of setbacks and challenges. He was taken out of the BCCI Central Contract, but he made a great comeback by showing his capabilities on the field.His rags-to-riches tale inspires all cricketers to persevere.

Challenges and Setbacks
Shreyas Iyer got a big setback earlier in 2024 when he was omitted from the BCCI Central Contract. Fans as well as experts were taken by surprise by the decision. But instead of losing heart, Iyer utilized the time in developing his game further and returning with a bang.

Unstoppable Performances in Domestic Cricket
Following the setback, Shreyas Iyer took over domestic cricket:

Won the Ranji Trophy 2024 – Contributed significantly for Mumbai, leading them to victory.
Won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 – Showcase his T20 skills with outstanding performances.
Won Irani Cup 2024 – Carried his winning momentum further by winning another key domestic trophy.

ALSO READ:NZ VS PAK 5TH T20I Match Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch on the tv and online
IPL 2024 Success and Record-Breaking Auction
Shreyas Iyer's magnificent performances in the home series played an instrumental part in earning recognition for him during the IPL 2024.He was instrumental in winning the game for his team, thus displaying hiscompetence in delivering pressure shots on huge platforms. He was one of the most pursued players in IPL 2025 Auction after showing consistency in performance, and he was purchased by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹26.75 crore, making him one of the costliest IPL players.

International Return and Champions Trophy 2025 Success
Iyer's resilience was rewarded as he was again included in the Indian team for the Champions Trophy 2025. He proved to be one of the prime performers in India's success and proved himself as a valuable player on the international level once more.A Glorious Debut for PBKS
In his first-ever IPL game for Punjab Kings, Iyer proved his mettle by scoring 97 off 42 balls*, which set the tone for a great season. His aggressive and selfless batting style impressed fans and pundits alike.

The rise & dominance of Shreyas Iyer 🫡

From being dropped from the central contract to becoming the most indispensable man in the middle order 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0rWUBk0ZKe

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 25, 2025

Shreyas Iyer Puts Team First, Twitter Praises His 97

Fans praise Iyer’s selfless approach as he remains unbeaten on 97, prioritizing team success over personal milestone.

IPL 2025 – Match 5 Highlights (GT vs PBKS)

• PBKS Innings(243-5)in 20 overs
• Shreyas Iyer- 97(42)*
• Shashank Singh- 44(16)*
• Arshdeep Singh-(4-36-2)

GT Innings(232-5)in 20 overs

• B Sai Sudharsan- 74(41)
• Jos Buttler- 54(33)
• R.S.Kishore-(4-30-3)

Shreyas Iyer Ramp Innings🥵
Missed Well Deserved Century🥲#PBKSvGT

pic.twitter.com/H2i3aLWnsi

— CHOTUU (@Chotu_Rc18) March 25, 2025

That's some intensified innings 💥
Missed a well deserved 100 @ShreyasIyer15 #PBKSvsGT pic.twitter.com/xgfcgtGqWb

— Mastero🦅 (@Mastero_9) March 25, 2025

Shreyas 97* Century miss ayende
PBKS-243/5, PBKS VS GT pic.twitter.com/gwaEv9crMG

— Gopinath🧡 (@NavvutuUndandi) March 25, 2025

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐘𝐄𝐑! 💔
Shreyas Iyer misses out on a well-deserved century by the narrowest of margins! 😔
𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩! 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞! 💪#ShreyasIyer | #GTvsPB pic.twitter.com/taiqnSBqh4

— RAHUL KUMAR (@Rahulku27570706) March 25, 2025

Century nahin hone diya hahaha #ShreyasIyer #GTvPBKS #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/rhIiQUr4t5

— 𝙎𝙆𝙔 ᥫ᭡ (@ask2sky) March 25, 2025

ALSO READ:Yuzi and Dhanashree’s divorce: The truth behind their separation!

Punjab Kings (PBKS) won a thrilling match against Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025. PBKS batted first and scored 243/5, with Shreyas Iyer scoring 97 off 42 balls and Priyansh Arya crazy hitting 47. GT fought hard but fell short, scoring 232/5, Sai Sudharsan made 74, and Jos Buttler added 54. Arshdeep Singh's crucial wickets helped PBKS secure the win in an exciting game.

IPL 2025 – Match 5 Highlights (GT vs PBKS)

PBKS Innings(243-5)in 20 overs

Shreyas Iyer- 97(42)*

Shashank Singh- 44(16)*

Arshdeep Singh-(4-36-2)

GT Innings(232-5)in 20 overs

B Sai Sudharsan- 74(41)

Jos Buttler- 54(33)

R.S.Kishore-(4-30-3)

Twitter reactions after PBKS win 5th match of IPL 2025

ALSO READ: Not just Shreyas Iyer Rohit Sharma also denied a single on 98*

Sweat💧 hard to taste the seasons first win 🙃, GT were incredible 👍 too while chasing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#GTvPBKS #PBKS #gtvspkbs #IPL2025 #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/iJq1oJT6AM

— Rukshi Khan (@Rukshi_khan_) March 25, 2025

PBKS Finally Won The Match 😎💥

Shreyas Iyer Terrific Knock 🥵💥 pic.twitter.com/8hJZrG4hJp

— Ethan_Hunt (@AKSHAY_HUNT7) March 25, 2025

Punjab Kings won by 11 runs! Congratulations. #PBKS #PBKSvGT #PBKSvsGT #IPL2025 #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/rzUZpV9QZw

— KOTH Gaming (@KOTHGaming_) March 25, 2025

🔥 Punjab Kings Start IPL 2025 with a Statement Win! 💪🏏

PBKS begin their campaign in style, securing a dominant victory over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad! From Shreyas Iyer’s explosive captaincy knock to a complete team effort—Punjab roared loud in the season opener! 🚀

💭 Can… pic.twitter.com/DK7DDO8rqn

— হৃদয় হরণ 💫✨ (@thundarrstorm) March 25, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen...

Salute to the greatest IPL team ever 🐯🔥

1st win and many more to come 💣#GTvsPBKS#GTvPBKS @PunjabKingsIPL#ShreyasIyer #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/Edn8MfdDMU

— CULT MAMA ᴿᴬᴾᴼ²² 'ᴿᴱᴮᴱᴸᵂᴼᴼᴰ' (@kalki2024BC) March 25, 2025

PBKS wonn the match 🥳💃🏻❤️

I'm sooo happy for Shreyas 😭🧿❤️ pic.twitter.com/xnK46BIYCn

— Nehhaaa (@nehhaaa__) March 25, 2025

PBKS winning IPL 2025 and Shreyas Iyer taking trophy to Golden Temple ❤️

We'll be there 🤞 pic.twitter.com/1bx3KfABCm

— . (@huserlame) December 13, 2024

In the IPL 2015 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rohit Sharma was on 98* in the last over of the match. The batsman who was facing, Corey Anderson, could have taken a single and placed Rohit on strike, but Rohit told him, "Don’t think about my century, play for the team" Anderson was able to execute the captain’s instructions and in turn, helped MI win the match instead of allowing self-fulfilling milestones dictate the outcome.

Fast forward to IPL 2025, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer had a familiar situation against Gujarat Titans (GT). Shreyas had a chance to strike while batting with 97* in the last over and Shashank Singh, who was on strike, had the option to take a single. Much like a decade ago, Iyer instructed Shashank to "play for the team, not my century." After the single PBKS went on to win the match. 

2015 IPL : Rohit 98*
In the last over, Rohit told Corey Anderson not to think about my century, play for the team.

2025 IPL : Shreyas 97*
In the last over, Shreyas told Shashank not to think about my century, play for the team.

Shreyas Iyer not only idolize Rohit but is also… pic.twitter.com/S9IMBWAAfB

— Jyran (@Jyran45) March 25, 2025

Also Read: Iyer’s near century steals show in Punjab Kings’ IPL 2025 opener

The astounding aspect of every great player is their ability to redefine the social paradigm. To put a greater emphasis, instead of resting easier with the knowledge of their lifetime 100 century record, cricketing legends like Rohit and Shreyas Iyer have an unfaltered commitment on working for the country.

He has been one of the leading and aggressive scorers in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has single-handedly played many match-winning innings, and from the years of him playing IPL, some of his sporting pieces came in one over. Let us look into the 5 instances he scored the maximum in an over in IPL history.

Most destructive over 29 runs vs KKR in 2018:

Shreyas Iyer scored his most memorable over against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2018, where he scored 29 runs. Their losing that match was embedded into their memories as his stunning effort and effortless sixes led the other side in disbelief that made it one of his best moments in IPL.

Most Runs Scored by Shreyas Iyer in a Single Over in IPL

29 runs vs KKR, 2018
24 runs vs GT, 2025
23 runs vs PBKS, 2024
22 runs vs SRH, 2024
19 runs vs PBKS, 2015#GTvPBKS #PBKSvsGT pic.twitter.com/1qVIRevpQV

— Piyush (@piyushson17) March 25, 2025

Also read:-Champions Trophy 2025: India’s victory trends worldwide

Other dominant overs in IPL:

In 2025, while playing against Gujarat Titans (GT), Iyer scored 24 runs that solidified his form until the latest IPL edition. He also scored 23 vs PBKS in 2024 and 22 vs SRH in 2024, showing his consistency as a power hitter. He showed consistency as a power hitter during his earlier year in 2015 against PBKS, where he smashed 19 runs in an over. 

In IPL history, Iyer stands out as an important, iconic player and the most entertaining, as he can consistently score.

Shreyas Iyer has proved that captaincy suits him best in the IPL. Known for his composed captaincy and steady batting, Iyer has delivered some spectacular performances in different teams and established himself tested with his ability to lead and play with the bat. Here is an overview of his performances in his first games as captain for a number of teams

ALSO SEE: Watch: MS Dhoni Shows Patriotism by Attending CISF Event Despite Busy IPL Schedule

Performance Overview

• For Delhi Capitals (DC): Shreyas Iyer in his maiden match as the DC captain struck an outstanding knock of 93(40). His aggressive batting allowed his side to achieve a difficult score against the rival side, which proved his ability to work under pressure and lead the front.
•  For Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Iyer scored 20(19) in his match for KKR. Even though the score was not significant, his ability to stabilize the innings and make partnerships came in handy. His leadership was visible as he guided his team through tough situations, even when batting poorly.
• For Punjab Kings (PBKS): Iyer's performance for PBKS was remarkable, scoring 97(42). His innings ensured the team put up a good score and showed his ability to take charge when the team needed him the most. This innings was a show of his leadership maturity and his pressure-batting ability.

Shreyas Iyer's leadership qualities and consistency have made him a possible IPL captain. Whichever team he captains, be it DC, KKR, or PBKS, on field performances have shown that being a captain improves his abilities the most, making him one of the most exciting young captains in the IPL.

Shreyas Iyer made a sensational debut as Punjab Kings (PBKs) by cracking 97 runs off 42 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the competition’s opening match at Narendra Modi Stadium. Falling just short of a century, Iyer powered PBKS to a commanding 243/5, setting a steep challenge for GT.

The Indian batter, who was sold for ₹26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, fulfilled the buzz around him with a spectacular innings. After opening with just 28/1 on the scoreboard, he ruled the game from the very first over, finishing off the powerplay with the speed of a bullet train and reaching his fifty in style using two consecutive Rashid Khan sixes. The 2-hour entertainment, packed with 5 fours and 9 sixes, was quite a show of his might as he added one more over 6,000 IPL and surpassed his previous best of 96 as a record.

Captain Shreyas Iyer leads PBKS' charge with imperious 97* (42)

🎥WATCH his splendid knock against #GT ⬇️

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 25, 2025

Also Read: RR vs KKR IPL 2025: 3 key players to watch

Punjab Kings skipper Iyer felt like he was on Cloud 9, as he was appointed as the third captain of his IPL career after his tenure at Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, and the reason was none other than their force of nature tutor, Ricky Ponting. “I wanted to set the tone with fearless cricket,” Iyer said post-match, underscoring his intent to lead from the front."

GT opted to field first, and their bowlers such as Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj could not reduce the onslaught of Iyer. They prepared to chase 244, and the Titans will have to go through the difficult path.

Shreyas Iyer has fired a shot with a nuclear force at the beginning of a path that has waited Punjab Kings fans for 18 years for an IPL championship. The 2024 KKR-winning skipper who almost produced a perfect innings has sent a signal of Punjab Kings’ intentions in IPL 2025.

While the Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer just missed out on his century in his first IPL captaincy for the PBKS by remaining not out on 97 runs, Shashank Singh played one of the greatest cameos in tournament history during their first match of the IPL 2025, which was against the hosts Gujarat Titans on Tuesday evening. Singh later revealed skipper Iyer’s selfless act, which motivated him to play a game-changing knock. 

When the 33-year-old Shashank Singh came to bat in the first innings of the GT vs PBKS match of the fifth game in the IPL 2025, PBKS scored 162/5. In the 17th over of the innings, Shreyas Iyer, under whom KKR won the IPL 2024 title, smashed three sixes and one four to Prasidh Krishna and reached the 90-run mark.  

97 but for us 💯🥹 #GTvPBKS pic.twitter.com/Bljo8KpXqS

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2025

Shreyas Iyer faced only four balls in the last three overs

In the last three overs of the innings, Iyer managed to face only four balls, and Singh played the remaining 14 balls to add 42 runs. After smashing two sixes and one four to Rashid Khan in the 18th over, PBKS scored only one boundary in the next over of Kagiso Rabada, thanks to Iyer’s four on the first delivery of the over. 

At the start of the final over of the innings, Iyer needed three more runs to record his maiden IPL century. But Singh was too busy to smash Mohammed Siraj as the skipper had no chance to face a delivery. Singh smashed five fours in the final over to score 44 not out off 16 balls with six fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, with five fours and nine sixes, skipper Iyer recorded 97 not out in 42 balls, as their batting helped PBKS to score 243/5 in 20 overs, their second highest IPL total. 

Shashank Singh said, "Shreyas Iyer told me from ball 1 that 'don't look at my hundred'. Just play your shots, I'm happy". pic.twitter.com/uPK2H1Qhxg

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 25, 2025

See Also: Iyer’s near century steals show in Punjab Kings’ IPL 2025 opener

Don't worry about my hundred: PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer to Shashank Singh

At the end of the innings, Singh revealed that captain Iyer told him not to think about his century. Singh completely focused on his strengths and did his best to score maximum runs for his team. 

Singh said, "Yes, it was a good cameo. But looking at Shreyas, that motivated me even more. Let me be very honest - Shreyas, from ball one, said don't worry about my hundred! Just watching the ball and reacting to it. I try and make sure I get the boundaries. When you go at that number, it's more likely that you'll not get a good hit. I know the shots I can back. I focus on my strengths rather than things which I can't do."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is going to publish the new central contract list, and there may be a lot of new player moves in the ranking. Some of the seniors might opt out of T20Is, but still, the list may see new inclusions.

Senior Players Retain A+ Grade:

In spite of their saying farewell, Rohit Sharma, who is captain of the Indian national cricket team, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and the most famous Indian batsman, Virat Kohli, are three expected players to be still playing in the A+ group of the BCCI contract. Their continuation at the top end is one of the reasons they are the best in Test and ODI formats.

Also read: RR vs KKR – Weather & Pitch report

Promotions and Demotions in the Contract List:

• Players who have performed impressively for the last few months, probably up from Grade B to Grade A, Axel Patel and Yashe Matthewius.
• The contract is going to be taken away from R. Ashwin. The purpose is to involve young players in the Indian team.
• For his brilliant play at the international level, the middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer might be offered a contract.
• On the other hand, the ceetion of the central contract for wicketkeeper-batsman Aishwarya Kishan cannot be made due to a lack of international games being played by her.

BCCI central contract updates 🚨

🔹 Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to stay in A+ BCCI contract despite retiring from T20Is.

🔹 Shreyas Iyer likely to get a BCCI contract ✅

🔻 Ishan Kishan could miss out again ❌

(Via- PTI) pic.twitter.com/MwDuYJjoVM

— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) March 25, 2025

New Players Set for Their First BCCI Contract:
A new batch of youngsters, Akash Deep, Sarfaraz Khan, and Nikin Jose (NKR), have chances to be rewarded with their first BCCI central dissolving process. Their perfect track record at home and their play record on India's A team have made them a potential list member.

Also read:PBKS VS GT IPL Match Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch on the tv and online mobile

Final Announcement Awaited

The awaited official announcement by BCCI is expected to shed some light on the course of Indian cricket. Already the indication of the young bloods inclusion and the shows of the old hands, the exit signifies a new approach to the national cricket team that is exploring its future international competitors with new horizons.