Job only half done, says Shreyas Iyer ahead of final
After securing the win against Mumbai Indians in the IPL Qualifier 2 here on Sunday, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer walked off without much celebration. Shreyas, who played out of his skin to guide PBKS home, shifted his focus immediately to the next task — the grand final on Tuesday.
'After the win over Mumbai, I felt like my job was only half done. The job is not yet finished. We have a match on Tuesday, and I have to come back to play tomorrow. So I was thinking that recovery is important, and how to prepare myself,' Shreyas said in a press conference here on Monday.
The 30-year-old rated the unbeaten 87 as his best-ever T20 knock. 'To win any match for your team is the best feeling in the world. Yes, given the pressure occasion, I would rate this as the best innings I have played,' Shreyas said.
Shreyas' stint showed his tough as nails character, given that his team was routed by RCB just a few days earlier in Qualifier 1. 'I love to play according to the situation, and not get too much ahead of the game. I want to see to it that I take the game to the end,' Shreyas said.
On Tuesday, PBKS will depend heavily on experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has returned from a wrist injury. Chahal may not be 100 per cent fit, but he is an invaluable asset. 'Chahal is a very experienced bowler. He has played a lot of big matches. He is lethal,' Shreyas said.
Having started the IPL 2025 campaign with a win over Gujarat Titans here, the city of Ahmedabad has been kind to PBKS. To cap it off with the trophy will be the dream end to the script. 'We have been consistent this season. And it all started here in Ahmedabad. Now we are in the final. I am very excited,' Shreyas said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Shreyas Iyer 'can't be kept out of T20Is, Tests', 'officially' challenges Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma for India captaincy
The scoreboard might show Shreyas Iyer as the losing captain of IPL 2025, but within Indian cricket's power corridors, his stock has never been higher. On the eve of the final between RCB and Punjab Kings, one of Indian cricket's influential decision-makers offered a striking endorsement of Iyer's future. 'Right now he just plays ODIs, but after this IPL we can't keep him out of T20 internationals and even Tests. Plus he also has now officially joined the white-ball captaincy race,' the official told Indian Express, suggesting that Iyer's impact this season has sparked a serious rethink within the national setup. It's been a turnaround few saw coming. Not long ago, Shreyas found himself without a central contract, out of the Test and T20I squads, and, most shockingly, released by Kolkata Knight Riders after leading them to the IPL title in 2024. The doubts over his fitness, form, and temperament had pushed him to the fringes. However, Iyer continued to perform big in domestic circuit for Mumbai, and even led the side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Then came Punjab Kings, a franchise with perennial underachievement but rich in untapped potential. Iyer embraced the challenge, and what followed was a masterclass in leadership. He found not only form with the bat but also forged a deep emotional connection with teammates and fans, who began calling him 'Sarpanch Sahab,' a nod to his calm but commanding presence. The moment that sealed his status came during the Eliminator against the Mumbai Indians. With the chase wobbling and Jasprit Bumrah breathing fire, Iyer unfurled a counter-assault of stunning composure. He dismantled Bumrah, cleared the ropes with ease, and held firm as wickets tumbled at the other end. Iyer eventually finished unbeaten on 87 off 41 deliveries, ensuring PBKS chased down a huge 204-run target with an over to spare. Though Punjab eventually fell short in the final, Iyer's aura only grew. His cold stare at Shashank Singh after a critical run-out showed he could demand more from his players. Iyer may not have lifted the trophy this year, but he's certainly forced Indian cricket to sit up and reconsider.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: Marco Jansen reveals Ricky Ponting's cheeky send-off - 'Good luck, but hope you lose' ahead of Australia clash
South African pacer Marco Jansen has shared the cheeky parting words from that continue to echo in his mind as he prepares to face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fresh off a stellar (IPL) season with Punjab Kings, where he claimed 16 wickets in 14 matches, Jansen revealed that Ponting, who coached the Kings to a runners-up finish in his debut season, offered both support and a light-hearted jab before Jansen left India for England. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. 'Before I left (India), he (Ponting) just said, 'Good luck, I hope you do well, but I hope you lose',' Jansen told ICC Digital with a grin, as South Africa's warm-up match against Zimbabwe was washed out in Arundel. The 24-year-old left-armer was full of praise for Ponting's coaching style, especially his ability to nurture confidence and focus on the positives. Poll Do you believe Marco Jansen will excel in the ICC World Test Championship Final? Yes, he will excel No, he will struggle 'I learnt a lot from him, especially from a mental point of view. He is always positive and he always sees the good stuff instead of the bad. I think that's why he's a legend of the game,' Jansen said. 'He always reminds you what could happen, what you can do, instead of what might go wrong.' Now shifting focus to red-ball cricket, Jansen is keen to soak up more knowledge from recently retired England pacer , who has joined the Proteas in a consulting role ahead of the WTC Final. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy 'Obviously, he's played a lot against Australia at Lord's,' Jansen said. 'Maybe I'll pick his brain… ask what they did to get certain batters out. But at the end of the day, you still have to figure it out yourself on the pitch.'


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
KSCA sought permission to hold celebrations at Vidhan Soudha
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association had sought permission for RCB's IPL trophy celebrations at Vidhan Soudha, a letter sent by it to the state government has revealed, reaffirming KSCA's assertion that it facilitated approvals for the franchise which is under fire following 11 deaths in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium. After an FIR was lodged against them, KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, secretary A Shankar and treasurer E S Jayaram submitted in the Karnataka High Court that the gate management and crowd management were not the responsibility of the association. A letter from the KSCA to the state government on June 3, which has been accessed by PTI, reveals that the cricket unit sought permission for festivities at the Vidhan Soudha by DNA Entertainment Networks. The KSCA stated that the concerned company would 'make necessary arrangements' for the event. 'On behalf of the M/s DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited, KSCA requests to inform that after the TATA IPL 2025 Finals on 3rd June 2025, in case Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins the IPL 2025 title, M/s DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited shall make plans for the felicitation ceremony at the Vidhana Soudha Grand Steps,' KSCA stated in the letter. 'KSCA requests that M/s DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited shall be permitted to make necessary arrangements at the Vidhana Soudha Grand Steps,' the association further wrote in the letter addressed to the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (DPAR) of the state government. While the felicitation at the Vidhan Soudha passed off without any major glitch, chaos erupted outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium where lakhs converged following RCB's social media invitation, which was eventually deleted. A planned victory parade had to be cancelled but the function inside the stadium proceeded despite the tragedy that unfolded outside. Apart from the 11 deaths, 56 people were also injured in the incident. The KSCA has pleaded in the state HC that there is 'absolutely no wrong that can be attributed to the Petitioner Committee or its office bearers as they stand aloof of any liabilities against the entire unfortunate incident.' 'IPL events are conducted by RCB through their service provider M/S DNA network private limited and the role of KSCA is very limited as it accommodates by extending the venue and infrastructure,' the body stated in its writ petition.