Shreyas Iyer drew high praise from former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra following his explosive 97* off just 42 balls in Punjab Kings’ thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Chopra hailed Iyer’s clean and calculated hitting, especially against spin, calling him the best Indian batter in the middle overs.

Speaking after the match, Chopra emphasized Iyer’s ability to take down spinners without stepping out, making him unpredictable and difficult to bowl to. “It was just the clean, crisp hitting—especially against spin,” said Chopra. “I believe he is the best Indian batter in the middle overs when it comes to taking down spinners.”

Chopra also pointed out a key technical tweak in Iyer’s batting stance that has improved his overall game. He observed that Iyer has slightly opened up his stance, allowing better control over short balls and expanding his shot range. “Traditionally, batting is side-on, but Shreyas has adjusted such that his back leg is slightly open. His bat is now positioned just outside the off-stump, which helps him access new areas and handle the short ball more effectively,” Chopra explained.

Iyer’s brilliance was complemented by Shashank Singh, who smashed 44 off just 16 balls, as the duo piled on 77 runs in the final four overs. Their aggressive finish powered PBKS to 243/5, which proved just enough to hold off Gujarat Titans at 232/5.

Chopra concluded that Iyer’s balance and adaptability are elevating his game, making him a vital asset in the middle order.

The Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign with a home clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday. While both franchises aim to bounce back from inconsistent past performances, this fixture marks the beginning of a new chapter for Punjab Kings under newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer.

After years of underwhelming outings, Punjab have revamped their core for the new season. Iyer, fresh off a successful Champions Trophy run with India, brings leadership experience to a team that will rely heavily on him alongside Josh Inglis, Prabhsimran Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell for a stable top and middle order. With all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Shahank Singh, Musheer Khan, and Stoinis in the mix, Punjab are aiming for a balanced performance across departments.

For Gujarat Titans, the 2025 season is a chance to reset after a disappointing 2024 campaign, where they finished eighth— a steep fall from their title-winning debut in 2022 and runners-up finish in 2023 under Hardik Pandya. Current skipper Shubman Gill, now India’s ODI vice-captain, is looking to steer GT back into playoff contention. Alongside him, Jos Buttler will seek to recover form and offer stability at the top of the order.

GT’s middle order features the likes of Sherfane Rutherford, Sai Sudharsan, and Masood Shahrukh Khan. Their all-round depth remains one of their strong suits, with Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, and Mahipal Lomror all capable of making game-changing contributions.

With both sides boasting a mix of proven international stars and dynamic youngsters, the match promises to be a high-stakes encounter as the IPL 2025 season gathers momentum.

After a disappointing start to their IPL 2025 campaign with a defeat against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, Mumbai Indians have taken a breather by heading to Jamnagar for team bonding activities. The move comes as the franchise looks to regroup ahead of their next clash against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

In a video shared by the team’s official social media handles, players including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya were seen relaxing and unwinding after landing in Jamnagar. The brief trip aims to help the team reset after their defeat against CSK in season opener.

Despite promising spells by debutant Vignesh Puthur, who claimed three wickets, and Deepak Chahar, Mumbai failed to post a competitive total on a slow Chepauk surface. Rohit fell for a duck, while skipper Suryakumar’s innings lacked impact, drawing criticism for the team’s lacklustre show.

With Hardik Pandya missing the first match due to a penalty from the previous season, his return could be crucial in the coming fixtures. He joined the team in Jamnagar and participated in net sessions, signalling readiness to make a comeback.

Mumbai’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised Puthur’s performance under pressure. “He handled it superbly,” said Mhambrey, acknowledging the young spinner’s temperament.

Providing an update on Jasprit Bumrah, Mhambrey said there’s no return date yet. “He is making good progress. The MI team management is in regular contact with the BCCI’s medical team monitoring his rehab at the Centre of Excellence,” he added.

As Mumbai Indians seek to bounce back, the Jamnagar retreat is seen as a move to lift morale, foster team spirit, and regroup strategically before facing the Gujarat Titans.