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Shreyas Iyer has pinpointed the Punjab Kings' struggles in IPL 2025, particularly when batting first at their home ground in New Chandigarh. He suggests that the team is finding it difficult to assess the wicket early on, leading to inconsistent batting performances. This issue has been a recurring theme throughout the season, preventing them from capitalizing on good starts and setting defendable totals. In their recent match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), PBKS managed a meager 157 runs, with the last five overs yielding only 38 runs due to excellent death bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Even Shashank Singh, known for his finishing prowess, couldn't find his rhythm, failing to hit a single boundary in the final overs. While this performance wasn't as disastrous as their previous game where they defended 110 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), it was far from satisfactory.
Iyer emphasized that many of their batters prefer to attack from the first ball, making it challenging to adapt when batting first. He noted that the wickets have become slower, especially during afternoon games, hindering their ability to set a competitive total. Despite attempts to accelerate in the middle overs, they were unable to capitalize on opportunities. He did acknowledge the team's positive starts, citing the opening partnership of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who put on 42 runs in 4.2 overs. However, their dismissals while attempting to hit boundaries triggered a middle-order collapse, exacerbated by impressive bowling from Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya. Arya, since his century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has shown promise in each of his four innings (22, 16, 22, 36) but has failed to convert those starts into substantial scores. Prabhsimran faces a similar situation with scores of 33, 13, 30, and 42.
When questioned about whether the openers should temper their aggressive approach, Iyer cautioned against stifling their natural instincts. He stressed the importance of the middle-order batters stepping up and taking responsibility. He explained that while they constantly discuss adapting to the wicket, the ball tends to lose its pace and bounce as it gets older. He also acknowledged the difficulty in altering the openers' mindset, stating that restricting their natural game could be counterproductive. Iyer highlighted that in other matches, the openers have provided brilliant starts, emphasizing the need for the middle order to contribute significantly to ensure the team's success.
Iyer himself is experiencing a period of inconsistency, alternating between aggressive displays and early dismissals. He has recorded three single-digit scores in his last three outings, including two against RCB. In a recent game, he was dismissed while attempting to slash Hazlewood, while in another, he was caught trying to clear the long-on boundary. Despite these setbacks, Iyer remains optimistic about his form. He believes that he only needs to get past the 10-run mark to unleash his attacking game. He is consciously avoiding dwelling on past performances and focusing on staying in the present, aiming to capitalize on the starts he is getting.
The Punjab Kings now have a six-day break after a hectic travel schedule following their back-to-back games against RCB. This break, before their upcoming match against KKR at Eden Gardens, is seen as a crucial opportunity for the team to rejuvenate and refresh. Iyer emphasized the importance of going back to the drawing board, assessing their bodies, and ensuring they are in the best possible shape for their next game. The team will use this time to analyze their performances, address their weaknesses, and strategize for the remainder of the tournament. The extended break provides a valuable opportunity to address the middle-order issues and implement strategies to improve their batting performance, particularly when setting totals batting first.
Source: Iyer: 'We're finding it difficult to assess the wicket batting first'