'The best of captains wouldn't have taken this score seriously': Ambati Rayudu on Shreyas Iyer as Punjab Kings defend lowest total in IPL history

'The best of captains wouldn't have taken this score seriously': Ambati Rayudu on Shreyas Iyer as Punjab Kings defend lowest total in IPL history
Shreyas Iyer and Yuzvendra Chahal celebrate a wicket against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025.

Story Highlights:

Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings defended the lowest total in IPL history.

Iyer focused on setting attacking fields to put KKR batters under pressure.

Iyer put his faith in Yuzvendra Chahal and he delivered with 4 wickets.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer was in attacking mode despite his team setting an underwhelming target of 112 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in home clash on April 15. But Yuzvendra Chahal's four-wicket haul helped cause a collapse and KKR were bowled out for 95 in 15.1 overs. PBKS ended up rewriting Indian Premier League (IPL) record books as they defended the lowest total in tournament's history. Following the thrilling win, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter was in awe of Iyer's approach. He recalled IPL 2018 when Iyer took over Delhi Capitals' captaincy from Gautam Gambhir. 

"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," Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo's Timed Out show.

 

 

"I have known the best of captains who wouldn't have taken this score [111] seriously. Trust me," he added. 

 

 

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Former West Indies captain Ian Bishop lauded Iyer as well. 

"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," the 39-year-old said. 

 

 

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Iyer had high expectations from Chahal

After the win, Iyer lauded Chahal who took four wickets in his first three overs. Iyer revealed he wanted KKR batters to feel the pressure because of attacking field. He also focused on staying humble after registering a victory for ages.

"When we saw Yuzi came in and turn the ball, our hopes and expectations were higher and I wanted the field to be attacking and right in front of their face so that they make mistakes and the tide turned towards us," Iyer said.

 

 

"It is important we stay humble and not get over-hyped with this win. It is important we take all the positives from this game and try to execute from ball one in the next game," the skipper added.

 

 

PBKS climbed to fourth place on IPL 2025 points table. They will travel to Bengaluru and take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 18.