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Arpit Sachdeva

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Shreyas Iyer

Three turning points from the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

Shreyas Iyer (Image Credits: Twitter)

Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings played out another high scoring thriller tonight in Indian Premier League 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. On a superb batting track, it was the visitors, who outwitted the hosts as skipper Shreyas Iyer got off to a winning start with his new franchise. Despite Punjab scoring a mammoth 243 runs in the first innings, the game was in the balance for large parts, thanks to a spirited chase from Gujarat Titans. However, IPL games are often decided by fine margins, and this game too proved to be nothing different. 

Here’s a look at three turning points from the GT vs PBKS game in IPL 2025: 

1. Shashank Singh’s last onslaught

Shashank Singh dramatically won the game for Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL against Gujarat Titans at this very stadium, and he made a telling contribution once again in the new season. The PBKS retained player came out to bat when his side were 162/5, and put on a stellar partnership with Shreyas Iyer to give his side a strong finish. 

Shashank took down Rashid Khan with two sixes and a four in the 18th over, finding his feet in no time. Then in the final over, he got five fours against Mohammad Siraj as Punjab Kings finished with a score of 243 - the highest ever at the Narendra Modi Stadium in an IPL game. Shashank and Shreyas combined to score 77 runs off the final four overs to demoralize the home side with his power-hitting prowess. 

2. Vyshak Vijayakumar’s instant impact

Gujarat Titans were at par with the chase till the 14 over, when the second strategic time-out was taken. Post taken, Punjab impact sub Vyshak Vijaykumar, who entered the game only in the 12th over, came in to bowl. He delivered a clinical first over under pressure, conceding just 5 runs off it. 

Before Vyshak’s introduction, Sherfane Rutherford had gone berserk against Marcus Stoinis, looting 17 runs off his over. His partner Jos Buttler was also well set with 38 off 22 then. However, Vyshak Vijarkumar nailed his wide yorkers as he quelled the scoring rate and derailed the Gujarat chase. The next three overs went for just 18 runs, leaving Gujarat needing 56 off the final three overs.

3. Skipper Shreyas on the money 

The pressure would have been on Shreyas Iyer to play with a new franchise after fetching a hefty price tag at the auctions. However, he was as cool as ice on his debut for Punjab Kings. Shreyas walked out to bat with Punjab at 28/1 after 3.1 overs and got started with a stylish drive over mid-on and a nonchalant flick over square leg for a maximum. 

His instant impact spurred on Priyansh Arya from the other end as well, who smashed 21 runs off the next over as PBKS ended the powerplay at 73/1. However, Shreyas was just getting started as he went on to score a 27-ball fifty. He held the innings when the wickets of Arya, Omarzai, and Maxwell fell in quick succession, ensuring that there was a collapse like it ensued in the game between KKR and RCB.

Shreyas then switched gears in the death overs, hammering Prasidh Krishna for 24 runs in the 17th over, which included three sixes and a four. The Punjab Kings skipper was left stranded at 97 not out in the end, but the knock would feel no less than a century as his franchise claimed a crucial 11-run win in the opening game of IPL 2025. 

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