Picture Credit: X/IPL
On Tuesday, March 25, star India and Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Shreyas Iyer starred with the bat as he guided his side to a comfortable 11-run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans (GT) in their IPL 2025 opener. Iyer, who has time and again showed his batting prowess, hitting bowlers all around the park, is continuosly knocking the doors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), especially after being removed from the central contract.
It is to be noted that Iyer was snubbed of a central contract in 2024 after he missed a domestic match due to some discomfort. This decision from the middle-order batter did not rest well, resulting him to be snubbed of a contract. Despite this, he was part of India’s 15-member Champions Trophy 2025 squad and played crucial innings in India’s title triumph.
Shreyas Iyer most improved batsman…ready for all formats: Sourav Ganguly
Seeing this, former India captain and President of the BCCI, Sourav Ganguly dropped a big statement, adding that Iyer is ready to play across formats in the Indian colours. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ganguly wrote, “Shreyas Iyer the most improved batsman in last 1 yr .. ready for all formats. Great to see his improvement after a few issues on length.”
It is to be noted that Iyer scored an unbeaten 97 off 42 deliveries, with his inning being laced with five fours and nine sixes. Although, 30-year-old has been a regular part of India’s ODI setup off late, he continues to struggle for a place in T20Is and Tests. In the recently-concluded Champions Trophy 2025, Iyer finished as the top run-scorer.
Speaking after PBKS’ 11-run win, Iyer said, “Ecstatic, to be honest. Getting 97* in the first match is always the icing on the cake. No better feeling to be honest. It was important for me to go ahead and adapt. I got four off the first ball, and that gave an immense boost.” The 30-year-old Mumbai batter will next return to action on Tuesday, April 1 when PBKS takes on LSG in Lucknow.
