NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer may have fallen just short of a well-deserved century, but his innings drew admiration and applause from all quarters. Iyer remained unbeaten on 97, yet the smile on his face as he walked off spoke volumes — his priority was contributing to Punjab Kings’ quest for their maiden IPL title, a journey that began in 2008.
Team First, Personal Milestone Second
At the end of the 19th over, Iyer was unbeaten on 97*, with Shashank Singh at the other end on 22 off 10 balls. Despite being within striking distance of a century, Iyer chose to put the team’s needs above personal glory.
Shashank’s Late Blitz Seals the Deal
Before the final over began, Iyer walked up to Shashank, who was striking the ball cleanly, and encouraged him to focus on maximizing runs for the team rather than worrying about his milestone. Shashank responded emphatically, smashing five boundaries off Mohammed Siraj’s final over and propelling Punjab Kings to a formidable 243/5 in 20 overs.
Shashank Singh Reflects on Iyer’s Selflessness
When asked about denying Iyer a century, Shashank was quick to acknowledge the inspiration he drew from his captain.
“Yes, it was a good cameo, but looking at Shreyas, that motivated me even more. From ball one, Shreyas told me not to worry about his hundred and just focus on the ball,” Shashank revealed.
“I try to ensure I get boundaries whenever possible. When you bat at that position, you don’t always get too many balls, so I back my strengths rather than worrying about what I can’t do,” he added.
A Leader’s Sacrifice for Team Success
Iyer’s unselfish act and his composed 97* were pivotal in setting up a daunting total for Punjab Kings, reinforcing his commitment to the team’s ultimate goal — lifting their first IPL title.
