In what has been a rollercoaster of a season for Punjab Kings, skipper Shreyas Iyer reflected on the ever-changing nature of the Indian Premier League after leading his side to a composed five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. The match, shortened due to rain, presented yet another unique challenge in IPL 2025, but Punjab rose to the occasion with a disciplined bowling display.
The foundation of Punjab’s victory lay in their impeccable bowling, which restricted the home team to a modest total of 96. Though the chase had its nervy moments, Punjab crossed the finish line in the 13th over. Iyer, speaking after the match, emphasized the dynamic character of the tournament.
“As they say, variety is the spice of life. We can experience all kinds of games over here. It is a great challenge. There was no thinking, to be honest. I was making instinctive moves, and obviously, we were getting wickets,” he remarked.
He further praised Marco for his performance, acknowledging the bowler’s impact on the game. “I didn’t want the new batter to come in and settle straightaway. Marco was able to extract a little bit of bounce on this wicket. He was bowling lethally. He steadied the ship. And the rest of the bowlers helped him,” Iyer added.
This win followed a string of contrasting matches for Punjab. Just recently, they posted an imposing total of 245 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, only to watch it dissolve into an eight-wicket defeat after Abhishek Sharma’s stunning century. That match was a prime example of how no score is truly safe in the IPL.
The drama continued in their subsequent clash with Kolkata Knight Riders. Punjab were bundled out for a mere 111, and defeat seemed inevitable. But Yuzvendra Chahal turned the tide with a brilliant four-wicket haul, dismantling the defending champions for just 95 and securing an improbable 16-run win.
Friday’s rain-affected game, which offered just 28 overs of play, added to the unpredictable rhythm of Punjab’s season. Yet again, they adapted quickly and managed to pull off another crucial victory, reaffirming their growing confidence in handling any curveball the IPL throws their way.
