Qualifier 2, Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer walks in at 55/2 with his team still needing 149 runs against the mighty Mumbai Indians (MI) to confirm their place in the final.
They had seen a collapse in the previous match only versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Iyer, though, had left that behind. What followed was an unbeaten 87-run off 41 balls that did not scream or dance, it just punched through yorkers into the gaps, timed slower balls like he could read minds, and stitched a chase together that was historic in a sense as Mumbai Indians had never lost defending 200 or more runs heading into this game.
Punjab Kings made it to their first final since 2014, and Shreyas Iyer, once again, walked off with that quiet nod. To understand the magnitude of that moment, you have to go back to where he was in early 2024.
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Two Finals in Two Years: The Shreyas Iyer Way
Rewind to early 2024. India had just played a home ODI World Cup in which Iyer was one of their best performers. His century in the semi-final against New Zealand had helped India reach the final, and his form at No. 4 looked to have finally solved the team’s long-standing middle-order conundrum.
Yet, just a few months later, the BCCI's annual central contract list did not feature his name. Alongside Ishan Kishan, Iyer was punished, reportedly for prioritising IPL camps and ignoring domestic red-ball cricket. Iyer, however, was managing a recurring back issue.
Now, here’s the thing about Iyer. He likes to answer with the bat. No social media rants, no cryptic Instagram stories. Just silence. And then, when the IPL came around, the redemption began.
He led KKR to the title in 2024, ending their decade-long wait. The calmness in his captaincy was evident. The backing of players paid dividends . People started talking again. Not about why he was dropped, but whether he should be back.
Fast forward to 2025. He was released by KKR and Punjab Kings signed him for a whopping INR 26.75 crore. He fitted in seamlessly. New city, same impact. He scores runs again. More importantly, he makes people around him believe they can win, something Punjab had not done in their history.
Interestingly, he was snubbed for not prioritising domestic cricket despite the fact helped Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy 2024 with his 95-run knock in the final. He captained Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and even lifted the trophy.
He was the top-scorer for India with 243 runs in the Champions Trophy 2025.
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Shreyas Iyer Earns Back BCCI Central Contract
By the time they beat Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, with Iyer scoring an unbeaten 87 off 41, nobody is talking about central contracts anymore.
He has already earned one. They are talking about comebacks. About leadership. About how cricket, this maddening, beautiful sport, never quite closes the door on you if you’re willing to knock again.
Now, Iyer has a chance to do the unthinkable. Punjab Kings will face RCB in the final of IPL 2025 and that game might culminate with a fitting climax to his redemption arc.
