Watch- Ambati Rayudu targets Shreyas Iyer's Mumbai roots despite a savage knock vs Gujarat Titans

Former Indian cricketers showered praise on Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer for his selfless approach against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025. Ambati Rayudu said that Mumbai cricketers are traditionally pushed to prioritize personal milestones, but Iyer’s team-first attitude is a refreshing change.

Shreyas Iyer prioritized his team ahead of personal achievements in his debut match as Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain. He played a key role in PBKS’s 11-run win over Gujarat Titans on March 25 in Ahmedabad. The middle-order batter received widespread appreciation, including the Player of the Match award.

Shreyas Iyer must've Grown Up Hearing '100, 100, 100' - Ambati Rayudu

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ambati Rayudu said that the Mumbai cricket system emphasizes big scores and centuries. He highlighted that Iyer would have constantly heard about reaching hundreds while growing up in Mumbai.

“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," Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo.

"So I think that's quite a change and that's brilliant, to be very honest," he added.

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Punjab Kings Register Their Second-Highest Total in IPL History

Shreyas Iyer came to bat when the team was at 28/1 in 3.1 overs. He showed aggressive intent from the start. The batter was unbeaten on 92 runs off 42 balls, including nine sixes and five fours, by the 19th over. However, he missed his maiden IPL century as he was at the non-striker’s end in the final over.

Shashank Singh went all out in the last over. The right-handed batter hammered Mohammed Siraj for 24 runs. Shashank scored an unbeaten 44 runs off 16 balls in an 81-run stand with Iyer. Debutant Priyansh Arya added 47 off 23 balls. PBKS posted 243, their second-highest total in the history of the tournament.

Shreyas Iyer Told Me, 'Don't Worry About My Hundred' - Shashank Singh

During the mid-innings break, Shashank Singh revealed that Shreyas Iyer asked him to play freely in the final over without worrying about his century. Shashank admitted that Iyer’s fearless approach motivated him even more.

"Yes, it was a good cameo. But looking at Shreyas, that motivated me even more. Let me be very honest - Shreyas, from ball one, said Don't worry about my hundred," Shashank Singh said during the mid-innings break.

Chasing 244, GT started aggressively, with Gill and Sudharsan adding 61 runs in 5.5 overs, but PBKS bowlers tightened control in the latter stages. Glenn Maxwell provided an early breakthrough for his team. Sudharsan and Jos Buttler tried to keep the team in the hunt with an 84-run stand for the second wicket.

Arshdeep Singh removed Sudharsan, who scored 74 runs off 41 balls with five fours and six sixes. Impact Player Vijaykumar Vyshak bowled exceptionally in the death overs. Sherfane Rutherford scored 46 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, but it wasn’t enough as GT finished at 232/5 in 20 overs.

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