Yograj Singh Critiques Shreyas Iyer's Performance in IPL 2025 Final
Yograj Singh's Strong Criticism
Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh did not hold back in his criticism of Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, after his dismissal in the IPL 2025 final. He described Iyer's exit for just 1 run off 2 balls as a 'criminal offence' that significantly impacted his team's chances. Iyer was caught behind by Jitesh Sharma off a delivery from Romario Shepherd, marking a pivotal moment in the match.
Yograj's Perspective on Iyer's Dismissal
Reflecting on the final match, Yograj Singh expressed disappointment over Iyer's shot selection and technique, stating that a captain's dismissal in such a crucial game is unacceptable. His remarks sparked discussions among fans and analysts, many of whom agreed that Iyer's early exit severely hampered Punjab's title aspirations.
"The shot played by Shreyas Iyer in the final was, in my opinion, a criminal offence. Ashok Mankad informed me that this falls under Section 302, which could lead to a two-match ban. What Shreyas did is simply not acceptable, and there is no room for an apology," Yograj Singh remarked.
RCB's Historic Victory in Ahmedabad
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year wait for an IPL trophy by defeating Punjab Kings by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After winning the toss, Punjab opted to bowl first. Their bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48), delivered commendable performances to keep RCB's scoring in check. Yuzvendra Chahal (1/37) also played a crucial role in restricting the opposition.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, RCB managed to score 190/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to significant contributions from Virat Kohli (43), Rajat Patidar (26), Jitesh Sharma (24), and Liam Livingstone (25).
Punjab's Chase Falls Short
Punjab Kings started their chase confidently, with openers Priyansh Arya (24 from 19) and Prabhsimran Singh (26 from 22) forming a solid 43-run partnership. Josh Inglis also made a notable contribution, scoring 39 runs off 23 balls, including one four and four sixes. However, it was Shashank Singh who nearly achieved the impossible with an impressive 61 runs off just 30 balls, featuring three boundaries and six sixes. He scored 22 runs in the final over, but with 29 runs needed, it was not enough.
RCB Bowlers Show Resilience
The bowlers from RCB played a crucial role in the victory, with Krunal Pandya standing out with figures of 2/17, earning the Player of the Match award. Yash Dayal (1/18) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/38) also made significant contributions at critical moments.