Ravi Shastri Takes Subtle Dig at Virat Kohli After Shreyas Iyer Sacrifices IPL Century, Doesn’t Farm Strike, Remains 97*
In the world of Indian cricket, few names carry the weight of expectations quite like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Both are recognized for their aggressive batting styles and their ability to turn matches around. However, it’s moments like these — the IPL 2025 match where Iyer remained stranded on 97* — that make us question the fine line between personal milestones and team goals, and how players like Kohli and Iyer deal with them in high-pressure scenarios.
The incident took place during an IPL 2025 encounter where Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was at the crease in a seemingly comfortable situation to score his first IPL century. However, in a surprising turn of events, Iyer chose to keep his strike rather than try and farm it to reach the coveted milestone. The decision drew significant attention, including a subtle comment from former Indian cricketer and ex-coach, Ravi Shastri.
Let’s delve deeper into the situation, why Iyer made the call to remain on 97*, and how Shastri’s comment stirred the pot on social media, highlighting the nuances of cricket and player mindset in the modern game.
The Match: KKR’s Dominant Position, Shreyas Iyer’s Near-Century
It was a high-stakes match between Kolkata Knight Riders and their rivals, with KKR in a dominant position. Shreyas Iyer, known for his calm yet aggressive approach at the crease, had been batting superbly. His 97* came with a series of well-paced strokes, expertly maneuvering the field and showing an immaculate range of shots. As KKR’s innings entered its final few overs, Iyer was just three runs away from what would have been his first IPL century.
However, with the ball in the hands of KKR’s Andre Russell, who had just taken two wickets in the previous over, the spotlight quickly shifted to Iyer’s batting approach. It wasn’t the first time a player had been in a similar position, but what made this scenario particularly unique was Iyer’s decision to not intentionally farm the strike and go for the final three runs. Instead, he continued batting in the same manner, striking well and keeping the pressure on the bowlers while leaving the possibility of a personal landmark hanging.
The game continued with Iyer not pushing for that one big shot, eventually finishing his innings on 97 not out, much to the disappointment of fans who were hoping for a three-figure score. The scene left many wondering: Why did he not go all out and try for the century? Was it a conscious decision, or was he simply not interested in the personal milestone?
Ravi Shastri’s Subtle Dig at Virat Kohli
As the game concluded, the post-match analysis saw former cricketer Ravi Shastri, known for his no-nonsense, candid comments, weigh in on the situation. While most analysts praised Iyer for his mature batting and leadership, Shastri couldn’t help but add a layer of commentary regarding Virat Kohli, suggesting that the situation was a prime example of a player’s mindset versus that of a team-first mentality.
Shastri, who had been vocal about the importance of personal milestones in the past, subtly hinted at how Kohli, over the years, has often prioritized reaching his personal landmarks — especially the century mark — at the cost of the team’s needs. Shastri remarked:
“In today’s day and age, players must decide what matters more: A team victory or a personal landmark. Shreyas Iyer showed restraint by not forcing the issue, and in my book, that’s the right mentality to have. It’s always easy to point fingers, but sometimes the game calls for a different approach. In this instance, Shreyas remained calm, finishing the game without worrying about personal glory.”
Shastri’s statement wasn’t a direct critique of Kohli, but given Kohli’s legendary obsession with centuries — even having once spent an entire IPL season chasing the landmark — many saw it as a subtle reference to Kohli’s own approach in the IPL, where his pursuit of a century at times has been critiqued for appearing self-indulgent when the team’s immediate goal was to finish off the match.
The Debate: Personal Milestones vs Team Goals
While Shastri’s remark resonated with many cricket fans, it also ignited a heated debate. On one side of the discussion were those who felt that Iyer’s decision was admirable. For them, his unwillingness to sacrifice the team’s needs for personal glory was a mark of maturity and responsibility. Iyer, being the KKR captain, understood that the team’s victory was paramount, and that achieving an individual landmark wasn’t worth compromising on the larger objective.
This mindset mirrors a philosophy that many modern-day captains and players have embraced. They understand that cricket is a team game, and personal milestones, while important, should not interfere with the team’s objectives. This is particularly true in a fast-paced league like IPL, where a quick and decisive win often matters more than any individual achievement. Iyer’s approach was strategic — he didn’t want to waste deliveries trying to force the issue when he could simply continue scoring freely.
However, there’s a counter-argument that posits a different perspective on the matter. In a highly competitive league like the IPL, players also have personal goals, and a century is a mark of excellence. A player like Virat Kohli, who has consistently been the face of Indian cricket, understands the power of personal milestones in propelling a player’s career forward. Centuries give players an aura of dominance and are a testament to their consistency. Kohli, for instance, has always been someone who pushes himself to reach these landmarks, often doing so with the team’s victory in mind as well.
Virat Kohli’s Century Obsession: A Blessing or a Curse?
For Virat Kohli, a century in any format is a matter of personal pride and a huge confidence booster. In the IPL, where the focus is on fast-paced batting and high scores, Kohli has often gone all out to achieve that elusive ton. While there’s no doubt that his ability to chase these milestones under pressure has been remarkable, there are times when it has resulted in negative consequences for the team.
One famous example came in 2016, when Kohli single-handedly carried the batting burden for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kohli scored over 900 runs that season and helped RCB reach the finals. However, the quest for a century — at times — led him to take more risks than he might have, particularly when the team was already in a strong position. Many fans at the time wondered whether Kohli’s focus on personal milestones might have contributed to RCB’s failure to win the title that year.
In contrast, Iyer’s stance in the IPL 2025 match seems to reflect a more measured approach. In today’s game, where teams are looking for consistent finishes and fast accumulations of runs, a player like Iyer sees his responsibility to lead by example and prioritize the team’s needs over individual statistics.
The Bigger Picture: Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership Qualities
Iyer’s decision to remain on 97* and not force a personal milestone adds another feather to his cap as a leader. It’s important to note that Iyer, at a young age, has shown maturity as both a captain and a batsman. His ability to make decisions that benefit the team over personal glory indicates the kind of player he is becoming — someone who values consistency, selflessness, and responsibility.
This leadership quality is crucial in T20 cricket, where match situations change rapidly, and the focus is often on collective performance rather than individual statistics. Iyer’s maturity was visible in this instance, as he put the team’s victory above personal recognition. This decision can go a long way in building his reputation as a reliable captain.
Conclusion: A Subtle Critique, a Bold Statement
Ravi Shastri’s subtle comment on Shreyas Iyer’s decision to sacrifice his century for the team’s cause served as a poignant reminder that in the modern-day IPL, personal milestones often take a backseat to team objectives. The cricketing world, with its emphasis on both personal achievement and team success, can sometimes find these two aspects in conflict. Whether it was a critique of Virat Kohli’s past IPL performances or simply an observation of Iyer’s maturity as a player, the debate remains an interesting one — one that will continue to shape the dynamic of Indian cricket as the IPL season progresses.
In the end, cricket is about finding that balance — the pursuit of individual milestones, like centuries, and the responsibility of being a team player. As for Shreyas Iyer, his choice to remain on 97* was a testament to his leadership and commitment to the team.
