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STUMP VISION JUNE 13, 2025 | The Indian Eye 46

Shreyas Iyer’s Final Fumble:

Punjab Kings’ Heartbreak and Hope

for a Brighter Tomorrow

Shreyas Iyer’s early dismissal in the IPL 2025 final proved costly for Punjab Kings, but the team’s
spirited performance throughout the season offers promise for the future.

OUR BUREAU The bowling unit, too, held its
own. Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamie-
Ahmedabad
son shared six wickets between them in
t was supposed to be a fairytale the final, effectively containing RCB
ending. But under the lights of on a batting-friendly track. While
Ithe Narendra Modi Stadium they couldn’t prevent a few late-over
in Ahmedabad, the Punjab Kings’ boundaries, their discipline was vital
dreams of lifting their maiden IPL in keeping the chase within reach.
trophy came crashing down — and Still, the middle order’s incon-
Shreyas Iyer found himself at the cen- sistency reared its head at the worst
ter of the storm. possible time. Despite a promising
The skipper’s tame dismissal for start to the chase, Punjab faltered in
just one run in the final against Royal the middle overs, losing key wickets
Challengers Bengaluru drew scath- and momentum. “It was probably a
ing criticism, most notably from for- little bit of inexperience in the mid-
mer Indian cricketer Yograj Singh, dle order that cost us,” Ponting con-
who branded the shot a “criminal ceded, without pointing fingers. He
offence.” “There is no apology for emphasized that this young core —
that,” he said bluntly, referencing though raw — had the makings of a
Iyer’s decision to go for an audacious champion side.
stroke just two balls into his innings. For Iyer, the final was a personal
The shot, ill-timed and ill-conceived, low. Yet, even in defeat, he refused to
led to his dismissal by wicketkeeper lose hope. “We have to be here and
Jitesh Sharma off a Romario Shep- win the trophy next year,” he said,
herd delivery — a moment that tilted vowing a comeback. His leadership
the balance firmly in RCB’s favor. throughout the season — steering the
While Iyer took the blame in team to the playoffs for the first time
stride and admitted to feeling “de- in over a decade — should not be
jected” in the post-match presen- overshadowed by a single poor shot.
tation, the weight of expectations Ponting echoed this optimism.
was immense. Punjab, who had last “We’ve made significant chang-
played in an IPL final eleven years es. We’ve laid the foundation for a
ago, had come agonizingly close — strong future,” he noted. He empha-
losing by just six runs. With a target of sized the cultural shift in the squad —
191 set by Bengaluru, Punjab began one built on trust, accountability, and
their chase with promise, thanks to Punjab Kings’ Shreyas Iyer (left) and Marcus Stoinis (ANI) expressive cricket.
their openers Priyansh Arya and Pra- The season might not have end-
bhsimran Singh. But regular wickets, ed with a trophy, but it ended with
particularly during the middle overs, from a failure. On the contrary, un- cricket. “They’re going to win us a belief. A belief that Punjab, long con-
disrupted their rhythm. der head coach Ricky Ponting, the lot of games going forward,” Ponting sidered underachievers in the IPL,
Veteran all-rounder Krunal Pan- team displayed flair, resilience, and added with conviction. have finally turned a corner. With a
dya was pivotal in RCB’s bowling an exciting brand of cricket that won Indeed, the rise of youth was a coach like Ponting at the helm, a ma-
lineup, strangling Punjab’s scoring them admirers across the board. defining theme for Punjab this year. turing captain in Iyer, and a talent-
rate with surgical precision. His four- Ponting, speaking at the post- Priyansh Arya’s elegance at the top ed young squad that now knows the
over spell yielded just 17 runs and match press conference, chose to of the order, Prabhsimran’s calculat- taste of a final, the ingredients for fu-
two crucial wickets — a masterclass focus on the positives. “The way ed aggression, and Shashank Singh’s ture success are firmly in place.
in pressure bowling. “They bowled we’ve been able to play our cricket, explosive 61* in the final all hinted As the dust settles on IPL 2025,
brilliantly, especially Krunal,” Iyer it’s been a highly entertaining team at a team coming into its own. These the Punjab Kings are no longer just a
acknowledged, calling the spell a to watch,” he said. He credited the players are no longer just prospects team of potential — they are a team
“turning point.” younger players — including Pra- — they’re potential match-winners, of purpose. And come next season,
Despite the final heartbreak, bhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and and the experience of reaching the they will return not just to compete,
Punjab Kings’ 2025 season was far Nehal Wadhera — for their fearless final will only sharpen their edge. but to conquer.

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