Shreyas Iyer Leads PBKS to Top Two Finish in IPL 2025
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) scripted history by booking their place in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, defeating Mumbai Indians convincingly by seven wickets. Skipper Shreyas Iyer, who took charge this season, opened up post-match with candid insights into the team’s dressing room culture, his bond with coach Ricky Ponting, and the fearless performances of young stars like Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis.
1. Shreyas Iyer: From Title-Winning KKR to Playoff-Bound PBKS
After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, Shreyas Iyer made a high-profile switch to PBKS for IPL 2025. The move raised eyebrows, but Iyer has silenced critics by guiding the team to their first playoffs since 2014 — and now, a top-two finish.
Speaking after the win, Iyer reflected on the transition:
“The camaraderie with Ricky (Ponting) was already strong. He gave me the freedom to express myself. That freedom helped me take control on the field and make bold decisions when needed.”
2. “Easy to Backstab…”: Dressing Room Culture Decoded
In a rare, honest moment, Iyer addressed the mental challenges teams face during tough phases and how PBKS avoided internal breakdowns.
“When you’re down in the dumps, it is easy to backstab each other. But here, everyone supported each other, stepped up at the right moments. That made all the difference.”
This quote underlines the emotional strength of PBKS — a team often seen as underachievers in past seasons. It reveals how trust, unity, and communication in the dressing room shaped their winning campaign.
3. The Ricky Ponting Effect: Freedom & Trust
Much credit, Iyer believes, goes to head coach Ricky Ponting for establishing a solid team culture.
“Ricky has been fantastic with player management. He’s calm, patient, and lets me make calls. That kind of trust is rare. Early wins helped build confidence and stronger relationships with the management.”
Ponting’s guidance appears to have unlocked a fearless brand of cricket in Punjab — something that had been missing for years.
4. Young Blood Rising: Priyansh Arya’s Explosive Knock
One of the breakout stars this season has been Priyansh Arya, who smashed a blistering 62 off 35 balls against Mumbai Indians.
“Priyansh started fabulously. Young players like him are fearless, and it shows in the way they bat. They’ve been ticking all boxes in practice, and it’s paying off now,” Iyer said.
At just 22, Arya’s ability to handle high-pressure matches and launch attacks from ball one makes him one of the brightest prospects of IPL 2025.
5. Josh Inglis: The Unsung Hero Finds His Spot
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who had been used in various roles throughout the season, finally found rhythm opening the innings. His powerful 73 off 42 deliveries laid the perfect foundation for the chase.
“Inglis has had to chop and change roles often, but I knew he liked the new ball. That’s why I sent him early today — and it worked. He’s a destructive player with a big-match temperament,” Iyer revealed.
The Iyer-Inglis strategy worked like a charm, with the duo showing that smart tactical adjustments can yield big results.
6. Hardik Pandya Admits: “We Were 20 Runs Short”
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was candid about his team’s underwhelming show with the bat.
“The pitch was good, but we were definitely 20 runs short. We couldn’t capitalise early or in the middle overs, and that cost us the game.”
Despite a strong season, Pandya admitted this loss was a wake-up call just before the playoffs. MI, with their five titles, are no strangers to pressure situations but now face a tougher path ahead.
7. MI Bowling “Not Clinical”, Says Hardik
Pandya also criticized the MI bowling unit for allowing PBKS too many freebies.
“We weren’t clinical. We gave balls they could hit and they capitalised. Some shots were great, but we could’ve been tighter,” he said.
This self-assessment suggests MI’s focus now shifts to tightening bowling strategies before the high-stakes knockout phase.
8. Punjab Kings: From Underdogs to Title Contenders
For a team that hadn’t seen the playoffs in over a decade, PBKS’ transformation this season is nothing short of remarkable. Under Iyer’s captaincy and Ponting’s mentorship, they’ve not only qualified for Qualifier 1 but look like serious title contenders.
With youthful aggression, experienced leadership, and strategic consistency, PBKS is peaking at the right time.
9. What’s Next for PBKS and MI?
• PBKS will now head to Qualifier 1, giving them two shots at reaching the final — a massive advantage.
• MI, depending on final standings, might enter Eliminator or Qualifier 2, and will need to regroup quickly to avoid early exit.
With IPL 2025 heading into its business end, both teams will be watched closely as fans gear up for high-octane playoff battles.
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Conclusion: PBKS Thrive on Unity, While MI Search for Clarity
The post-match comments from Shreyas Iyer offer more than just match analysis. They provide a window into the psychology of a winning team: mutual trust, strategic clarity, and emotional unity.
As PBKS move into Qualifier 1, they carry not just form, but also a fearless, back-one-another mentality — a priceless trait in knockout cricket. On the other hand, MI’s seasoned campaigners will need to recalibrate quickly if they want to add another trophy to their cabinet.
Stay tuned with CrickTab.com for full coverage of IPL 2025 playoffs, exclusive player reactions, tactical insights, and match predictions.
