"Shreyas Iyer did great captaincy but"- Ambati Rayudu's expose after PBKS vs KKR

Former Team India batter Ambati Rayudu showered praise on Shreyas Iyer following Punjab Kings' (PBKS) stunning victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, Rayudu stated that everything aligned perfectly for the team while defending a total of 111 during the 31st match of the IPL 2025 season.

Punjab Kings secured a 16-run victory at Mullanpur on Wednesday, April 15, despite being bowled out for just 111 runs in 15.3 overs. They restricted the Knight Riders to only 95 runs in 15.1 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a game-changing performance, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs.

Shreyas Iyer Definitely Has Captained Well - Ambati Rayudu

Punjab Kings defended the lowest total ever in the IPL, surpassing Chennai Super Kings’ previous record of 116 runs from 2009. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Ambati Rayudu credited Shreyas Iyer’s leadership but added that such victories require more than just good captaincy.

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"Shreyas definitely has captained well. These guys were there, they believed — once they got one wicket, two wickets, three wickets, and then there's that energy. On a night like that, it is more than captaincy. Everything has to be loaded for you," Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo's Time Out show.

How would you rate Shreyas Iyer's captaincy against KKR? #Timeout #IPL2025 #PBKSvKKR pic.twitter.com/HYPIzlWGOF

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 16, 2025

Yuzvendra Chahal won the Player of the Match award. PBKS secured their fourth victory in six matches and moved to fourth place on the IPL 2025 points table. They will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their next match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18.

I Think Shreyas Is A Good Captain - Ian Bishop

Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop stated that Shreyas Iyer has had a positive impact on the teams he has captained. He recalled how Iyer took over from Gautam Gambhir midway through the 2018 season at Delhi Capitals and improved the team’s performance.

"I have seen captains sit back and probably say, 'let's take this as deep as we can'," Bishop said. "I think Shreyas is a good captain. Wherever Shreyas has gone, and I keep saying it, since he took over from Gautam Gambhir halfway through at Delhi Capitals [then Daredevils] in 2018, he's made teams better."

Wouldn't Have Taken This Score Seriously - Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu said that Shreyas Iyer's belief in the total, something even top captains might have dismissed, was crucial. He highlighted Iyer’s composure and leadership as key factors in Punjab Kings’ victory.

"I have known the best of captains who wouldn't have taken this score [111] seriously. Trust me," Rayudu said. "But this guy did. [Coach Ricky] Ponting does. Ponting would never give up. That's a great combination that they have going. But only if they don't change the players as often as they do. And keep it constant. I think they'll get a lot of success in the IPL.

"He [Shreyas] has that composure as a person and as a captain, and that is why I feel… sir [Bishop] here has said he is a good captain, and that's because he has that composure."

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