Former Indian cricketer and commentator, Akash Chopra, has appreciated Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for his selfless batting and not caring for his personal milestone, pushing the team’s needs forward. PBK on Tuesday launched its Indian Premier League 2025 campaign with an 11 -run win over Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where captain Iyer led his furious 97 in front of only 42 delivery.
Iyer prepared his first IPL century to score when he reached 97 by the end of 19th, but missed the milestone after playing all six delivery of Shashank Singh’s 20th over. Shashank made five borders, scored 23 runs in bowling by Mohammad Sirj, which helped Punjab to do a huge post on 243/5.
Chopra posted on X after the match, “Iyer was only one away from his first IPL century. The strike was not held after this. Either asked for it. And this is a good example for everyone,” Chopra posted on X after the match. “T20 cricket is about maximizing every ball … whoever is killing, he keeps killing. No individual milestones are bigger than some additional team runs. Let’s not forget that we have seen people refusing to strike in the last overs, while denying that when a milestone is within a distance of touching,” the post read.
Iyer was only one away from his first IPL century. There was no strike after this. Did not even ask for this. And this is a good example for all.
T20 cricket is about maximizing every ball … whoever is killing, keeps killing. No personal milestones are big …– Akash Chopra (@cricketaasash) March 26, 2025
Tweeting a user, who wrote that ‘Iyer should make a hundred,’ Chopra wrote, “He will be a brother. Very good player, Shreyas. Cricket’s passion with milestone is a hindrance in T20 cricket.”
Iyer missed a hundred against GT, which was his first match as the captain of PBKS in the initial game of the IPL 2025 season. “Let me be very honest: from a ball, Shreyas, said don’t worry about my hundred! Obviously, I was going to say to them, ‘I should give you one or something else?” Finisher shone with the bat, scored 44 in just 16 delivery. “It feels very heart and courage to say that it is obvious that hundreds of T20s do not come easily, especially IPL“He said.
