Shreyas Iyer’s Mumbai Heritage Targeted By Ambati Rayudu

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), received many accolades from former Indian cricket players for his unselfish strategy against the Gujarat Titans in the 2025 Indian Premier League.

However, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu targeted him, saying Mumbai cricket players are typically encouraged to prioritize their own goals. Iyer's focus on the team is a welcome change.

In his first game as captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Shreyas Iyer put his team's needs ahead of his own. On March 25 in Ahmedabad, he was instrumental in PBKS's 11-run victory over the Gujarat Titans. The Player of the Match award was one of many accolades bestowed upon the middle-order batsman.

When the team reached 28/1 in 3.1 overs, Shreyas Iyer entered the batting order. From the beginning, his goal was aggressive. By the 19th over, the batter had amassed 92 runs off 42 balls, including five fours and nine sixes, and was undefeated. But because Shreyas Iyer was at the non-striker's end in the last over, he missed his first IPL century.

In the final over, Shashank Singh went all out. Mohammed Siraj was pounded for 24 runs by the right-hander. In an 81-run partnership with Iyer, Shashank scored an undefeated 44 runs off 16 balls. Priyansh Arya, who made his debut, scored 47 off 23 balls. With 243, PBKS achieved their second-highest score in this IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer must've grown up hearing '100, 100, 100' - Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu told ESPNcricinfo that the Mumbai cricket setup places a strong emphasis on hundreds and high scores. He emphasized that while Iyer was growing up in Mumbai, Shreyas Iyer would have heard about hitting hundreds all the time.

“Especially coming from a Bombay batsman. That’s quite a change. While growing up in Bombay, he must've only heard '100, 100, 100, 100. So I think that's quite a change and that's brilliant, to be very honest,” Rayudu said.

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Gujarat Titans fall just short

With Gill and Sudharsan scoring 61 runs in 5.5 overs, GT got off to a fast start in their chase of 244, but the PBKS spinners tightened their grip in the closing stages. Glenn Maxwell gave his squad an early advantage. With an 84-run partnership for the second wicket, Sudharsan and Jos Buttler attempted to keep the squad in the hunt.

Sudharsan, who amassed 74 runs off 41 balls with five fours and six sixes, was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. Vijaykumar Vyshak, an impact player, bowled brilliantly in the final overs. GT finished at 232/5 in 20 overs despite Sherfane Rutherford's 46 off 28 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes.

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