IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer smashes blistering fifty on PBKS debut
What's the story
Star batter Shreyas Iyer started his 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a bang. Iyer smashed a 42-ball 97* while leading Punjab Kings in their opening encounter against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. As a result, PBKS slammed 243/5 (20 overs). The senior batter justified his ₹26.75 crore price tag by playing a whirlwind knock on PBKS debut. He also completed 6,000 T20 runs.
Knock
Iyer slams whirlwind fifty
Iyer came in after Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya added 28 runs, with GT electing to field. The PBKS skipper then shared brief stands with Arya and Azmatullah Omarzai. Although PBKS had a turbulent phase, Iyer found support from Marcus Stoinis. Iyer, along with Shashank Singh, propelled PBKS past 240. He was stranded on 97* as Shashank hammered 5 fours in the final over.
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Iyer comes out all guns blazing
Iyer's 42-ball 97 included 5 fours and 9 sixes. He finished with an incredible strike-rate of 230.95. As has been the case, Iyer played spin with precision besides attacking the pacers. He hammered 3 sixes and a four in an over of Prasidh Krishna.
Price tag
Iyer carries ₹26.75 crore price tag
Iyer was named the PBKS skipper this year. He was picked up by the Kings for a record ₹26.75 crore. Iyer is one of only eight captains to have won the IPL, having led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory in 2024. He became the first player to lead two different franchises to IPL finals. Under him, Delhi Capitals finished as the 2020 runners-up.
Score
Iyer's highest score in IPL
Iyer's 97* is now highest score in the IPL. His previous-highest score was 96 that came for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Lions in 2017. In a career spanning a decade, Iyer has racked up 3,224 runs from 117 IPL matches at an average of 33.24. His tally includes 22 half-centuries. Iyer's best season came in 2020 when he scored 519 runs at 34.60.
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Highest IPL score on captaincy debut for a franchise
As per Cricbuzz, Iyer now has the highest score on captaincy debut for a franchise in the IPL. He is only behind Sanju Samson (119 for RR vs PBKS, Wankhede, 2021) and Mayank Agarwal (99* for PBKS vs DC, Ahmedabad, 2021).
Milestone
Iyer gets past 6,000 T20 runs and 250 sixes
As mentioned, Iyer completed 6,000 T20 runs. He has raced to 6,071 runs at 33.54. He also surpassed 250 T20 sixes (256). Over 3,200 of his T20 runs have come in the IPL. Meanwhile, the star batter has scored 1,104 runs from 51 T20Is for Team India. Notably, Iyer holds the record for the second-highest score by an Indian batter in T20 cricket.