Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings LIVE Score, IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer Leads PBKS From Front, Brings Up Fiery 50 vs GT
In what is turning out to be an exhilarating IPL 2025 encounter, Punjab Kings (PBKS) are facing off against the highly formidable Gujarat Titans (GT) in a much-anticipated clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match has seen a thrilling battle between bat and ball, with Shreyas Iyer playing a captain’s knock to guide PBKS back into the contest. As the game progresses, Iyer has led from the front, helping his team recover from a challenging position and push their total beyond 100 runs with an exciting, fiery fifty.
With GT’s bowlers—particularly the likes of Rashid Khan, Shivam Kishore, and Alzarri Joseph—having troubled the Punjab top order, it seemed like PBKS might be in for a difficult ride. However, Iyer’s resilience and his attacking mindset have helped turn the tide in Punjab’s favor. His knock of 50 runs has been built on a solid foundation of well-timed shots, smart placement, and an aggressive attitude, making him the standout performer for Punjab in this match.
Early Setbacks for PBKS: A Slow Start
The game started with high hopes for Punjab Kings, as they were determined to make a strong impact in IPL 2025. However, the opening moments were far from favorable for them. Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed early by Shivam Kishore, and soon after, Shikhar Dhawan followed suit, leaving Punjab at a precarious 40 for 2 in the powerplay. It was evident from the outset that the Gujarat bowlers were going to make life difficult for Punjab’s batsmen. The spinners, particularly Kishore, were extracting sharp turn, and the pacers, led by Joseph, were applying consistent pressure.
At this point, Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis walked in to try and stabilize the innings. Iyer, known for his leadership qualities, took charge of the situation, while Stoinis offered solid support. The duo played a patient yet aggressive brand of cricket, understanding that they had to rebuild the innings and provide a foundation for the rest of the batting lineup to capitalize on later.
Shreyas Iyer Takes Charge
Iyer’s leadership skills and experience as a batsman came to the fore during this rebuilding phase. After the early wickets, PBKS needed someone to anchor the innings and provide stability. Enter Shreyas Iyer, whose calm approach under pressure was evident as he faced the Gujarat bowlers. Initially, he focused on playing the ball late, guiding it through the gaps, and rotating the strike to ease the pressure on himself and his partner.
As the match progressed, Iyer began to grow into his innings. His ability to judge the length of the ball and pick the gaps was evident when he played a series of elegant strokes through the cover and square leg region. His first boundary, a beautifully timed cover drive off Alzarri Joseph, sent the crowd into a frenzy. It was a signal of intent from the captain, who had clearly decided that he would not allow Gujarat to dominate proceedings further.
Iyer’s next boundary came off a crisp pull shot, off the back foot, against Rashid Khan, who had been threatening with his variations. The shot not only sent a message to Gujarat but also lifted the confidence of the entire Punjab dressing room. As the overs passed, Iyer showed an excellent blend of caution and aggression, carefully assessing the pitch conditions and waiting for the right balls to attack. His strike rate slowly started to climb, and the Punjab crowd started to believe in the possibility of a strong recovery.
Iyer Brings Up His Fiery 50: The Turning Point
As the match entered its crucial middle overs, Shreyas Iyer reached his half-century in a style that was both elegant and powerful. His 50 came off just 35 balls, an innings that was peppered with five boundaries and a six. The crowd erupted as Iyer raised his bat to acknowledge the applause, a fitting reward for his hard work and composure in a pressure-filled situation.
Iyer’s half-century was not just about personal achievement but also about how it kept the Punjab innings on track. At a time when wickets were falling at regular intervals, Iyer showed that there was still hope for PBKS. His knock not only steadied the ship but also allowed Marcus Stoinis, who had been playing second fiddle, to open up and start playing more freely.
Iyer’s fifty was a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion. He didn’t just score runs; he made the right decisions, finding boundaries when needed, and playing with discipline when required. As the ball was turning and the pacers were making life difficult, his innings offered hope to the Punjab Kings.
The Key Partnerships: Iyer and Stoinis’ Rebuilding Effort
Iyer and Stoinis’ partnership became the backbone of PBKS’ innings. They built a 70+ run stand, with Iyer playing the anchor role and Stoinis providing the necessary firepower. Stoinis, known for his hitting abilities, started to get into the groove as Iyer rotated the strike and allowed him to face the majority of deliveries in the last few overs.
While Iyer focused on accumulating singles and rotating the strike, Marcus Stoinis unleashed some powerful shots in the death overs, including a couple of towering sixes that cleared the boundary effortlessly. The pair’s ability to assess the situation and take calculated risks while maintaining their composure was one of the highlights of Punjab’s innings.
The Gujarat Titans’ Response
From Gujarat’s perspective, the strategy was clear: break the partnership between Iyer and Stoinis to bring the pressure back onto the Punjab batsmen. Rashid Khan, ever the tactician, was brought into the attack for a key spell. His tricky leg-spin, combined with the rough patches on the pitch, made it difficult for Iyer and Stoinis to continue their dominance.
Shivam Kishore also kept the pressure on, working hard through the middle overs. However, despite their best efforts, the Gujarat bowlers were unable to break the partnership in time. Iyer remained rock-solid at one end, while Stoinis continued to support him with a steady flow of boundaries.
As the 15th over came to an end, PBKS had reached a competitive total of around 130, with Iyer’s knock still going strong. At this point, Iyer was the glue holding the innings together, and the game was well-poised for a final flourish from the middle and lower order. Punjab Kings were looking at a total of around 170-180, which would have been competitive, given the surface and the conditions.
Will Shreyas Iyer Lead PBKS to a Big Total?
As the match moves into its final stages, Shreyas Iyer is looking set to take PBKS to a competitive total. His calm, calculated approach has shown why he is one of the most trusted captains and batsmen in Indian cricket. However, he will need support from the likes of Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan to propel PBKS past the 160-run mark.
For Gujarat Titans, their bowlers will need to regroup quickly. The middle overs were challenging, and the partnership between Iyer and Stoinis is a crucial moment for them to break. With Rashid Khan still having two overs to bowl and the presence of other match-winners like Shivam Kishore and Hardik Pandya, the Titans are certainly capable of making a comeback in the final overs.
Looking Ahead to the Final Overs
As the match reaches its climax, Shreyas Iyer’s knock is likely to define the outcome of Punjab Kings’ innings. Can he guide them to a total beyond 170, or will the Gujarat bowlers clamp down in the final overs and restrict the total?
The next few overs will be crucial for both teams. If Iyer can continue his charge and take advantage of the death overs, Punjab Kings will have a score to defend. On the other hand, Gujarat will look to break the Iyer-Stoinis partnership quickly to keep the total manageable for their strong batting line-up.
Conclusion: Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership and Skill on Display
At this stage of the game, Shreyas Iyer has proven why he is one of the most reliable leaders in IPL cricket. His composed approach, ability to stabilize innings, and knack for finding boundaries at crucial moments has made him the standout performer for PBKS in this match. With a fiery fifty, he has given his team a fighting chance against the Gujarat Titans.
As the final overs approach, the game remains in the balance, and both teams will be pushing hard to claim victory. For now, all eyes are on Iyer and whether he can lead Punjab Kings to a score that will challenge Gujarat Titans.
