PBKS vs MI, IPL 2025: Ignored for England tour, Shreyas Iyer has a point to prove

Shreyas Iyer (IPL Photo)

Punjab Kings face mighty Mumbai Indians as both teams eye a top-two finish

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JAIPUR: Shreyas Iyer ’s exclusion from India’s Test squad for the England tour might feel like a setback, given his ambition to cement his place in red-ball cricket. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar ’s comment that ‘right now there’s no room in Test cricket’ for Iyer despite his impressive domestic performances and a strong Champions Trophy showing, will likely sting given his performances across formats.It must be tough on him, as the former India captain Sunil Gavaskar points out. But he doesn’t have to ‘give up’.“He has done nothing wrong. He has scored heaps of runs in all forms of the game. So it’s a little bit tough on Iyer. Maybe, what happened when he lost his central contract is still rankling and maybe that’s the reason why he can’t break in. But he doesn’t have to give up. With age on his side, he just has to keep on delivering big hundreds and he could be back in the team sooner than later,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.Ignored for the Tests, Iyer has a point to prove, and the ongoing IPL offers the perfect platform.He can draw confidence from the widespread praise for his refined batting and leadership, which have thrust him into the spotlight.His IPL 2025 campaign with Punjab Kings (PBKS) has earned him accolades that were missing last year, even when he captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title.PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting has commended his technical adjustments and composed decision-making, noting his improved timing and hand-eye coordination.Across 13 innings this season, Iyer amassed 488 runs at an impressive average of 48.80 and a strike rate of 172.44, including five fifties. His 29 sixes and 37 fours underline his aggressive approach, making him one of the standout performers of the season.These performances highlight Iyer’s ability to blend aggression with consistency.As Punjab prepare for their final league match against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Monday, Iyer will be eager to secure a victory to lock in their top-two spot, a chance Punjab missed out on against Delhi Capitals at the same venue on Saturday.MI’s ambition will be similar. While PBKS have 17 points, MI have 16 in 13 games.Facing Hardik Pandya’s formidable MI, known for their explosive batting and potent bowling attack, Iyer’s strategic acumen as captain will be tested.It will be a clash of MI’s proven resources versus PBKS’ uber talented youngsters.While both teams boast of firepower in their batting line-up, the bowling units could be decisive. MI’s attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s pinpoint yorkers and Trent Boult’s early swing, is bolstered by Deepak Chahar’s control and Mitchell Santner’s guile. PBKS’s bowling, with Arshdeep Singh’s swing, Marco Jansen’s bounce and Harpreet Brar’s crafty spin, is versatile but less experienced.

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