IPL practice match: Shreyas Iyer gears up with 85-run knock
What's the story
Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer exhibited his batting brilliance with a phenomenal 85 runs off just 41 balls during an intra-squad practice match in Chandigarh ahead of the 2025 IPL season.
His brilliant knock helped Team B post 205 runs in their 20 overs.
Meanwhile, thanks to Arshdeep Singh's brilliance, Team A fell short by seven runs. The pacer returned figures worth 2/22 according to a note by PBKS.
Match highlights
Openers put up strong fight for Team A
The opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave Team A a strong start, scoring 72 off 31 balls and 66 off 42 balls, respectively.
Vishnu Vinod also played a key role with a quickfire innings of an unbeaten 26 runs off just 10 balls.
On the bowling front, Team B's Shashank Singh stood out with figures of two wickets for 38 runs in four overs.
Upcoming matches
PBKS kick off IPL 2025 campaign on March 25
Punjab Kings will begin their maiden IPL trophy quest against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 25.
They will then host Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings at their home ground, the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
The team's head coach Ricky Ponting was pleased with Iyer's leadership skills and lauded the team's combination of youth and experience.
Coach's remarks
Ponting praises Shreyas Iyer's leadership skills
Ponting hailed Iyer as an "IPL-winning captain" and said he was happy with Iyer's recent addition to the camp.
"He is a great human being. We could not have asked for more," Ponting said according to a release by PBKS.
Ponting also praised the squad's blend of youth and experience. "We have had a really good mix of youth and experience," he said, adding how he is thrilled with the squad's overall composition.
Player's perspective
Iyer shares his thoughts on Ponting's coaching
Echoing Ponting's sentiments about the team's composition, Iyer said he was excited to work with the coach again.
"He supports everyone. The confidence he gives a player is of a different level," Iyer stated as per a PBKS release.
On their goal for the season, Iyer said, "The goal is to win the trophy... it's not like you wake up in the morning and do it but...it's going really well."
Numbers
PBKS skipper has a strike rate of 127.48 in IPL
Leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, Iyer managed 351 runs in 15 matches at an average of 39.
He also boasted a strike rate of 146.86 in these 15 games, alongside a high score of 58*. Iyer also managed two fifties.
Meanwhile, in 116 matches he has amassed 3,127 runs at 32.24. He also owns a strike-rate of 127.48 including 21 fifties.