In a dramatic moment during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Shashank Singh found himself at the center of an emotional storm. A costly run-out led to Shreyas Iyer’s angry reaction which was hard to ignore. While Iyer went on to guide PBKS to victory, the fallout between the captain and his teammate became a hot topic off the field.
Now, Shashank has shared his side of the story, speaking honestly about that day and the lessons he learned.
“I Deserved It,” Says Shashank
During a high-pressure run chase, Shashank was run-out after being too relaxed while running between the wickets. The mistake triggered Shreyas Iyer’s angry outburst on the field, and even after the match, to which Shashank admitted he was completely at fault.
“I was too casual. It felt like I was walking on the beach when I should have been sprinting through fire. Shreyas Iyer being angry at me made total sense. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he had slapped me. Even my dad didn’t speak to me till the finals,” he said in an interview with The Indian Express.
But things did settle down. Iyer later took Shashank out for dinner, showing that though emotions ran high in the moment, team spirit still mattered. It’s a reminder that in sport, mistakes happen — what counts is how you respond to them.
SUGGESTED READ: Tendulkar’s 1992 Dismissal Sparks Fan Outrage
Praise for Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership
Despite being on the receiving end of Shreyas Iyer’s anger, Shashank had only good things to say about his skipper’s leadership. He called Iyer one of the best captains in the world right now, not just because of his game sense but also because of how he treats people.
“He’s fair, chilled, and always open to suggestions. Even junior players feel like they can speak up. Shreyas Iyer’s anger doesn’t come from ego. It comes from the desire to win and high expectations from the team,” Shashank said.
According to Shashank, Iyer’s style is rare in modern cricket. He listens, adapts, and leads with calmness most of the time — except, of course, when key mistakes happen at crucial moments.
Missed Chances in the IPL 2025 Final
Punjab Kings had a strong run throughout the tournament and topped the league table. However, their campaign ended in heartbreak. They lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1, and again in the final, falling just six runs short while chasing 191.
Shashank remained unbeaten on 61 off 30 in the final but missed one key opportunity — a full toss from Josh Hazlewood in the final over that he couldn’t put away.
“I was ready for a yorker, not a full toss at my thigh. Fine-leg was inside. Even if I got a thick edge, it might’ve gone for six. But I couldn’t connect,” he said. He’s still haunted by that miss.
“Everyone tells me the same thing — ‘Bhaiyya, if you had hit that one ball…’ That one moment overshadows everything else,” he added.
Looking back, Shashank believes Shreyas Iyer’s angry reaction came from a place of belief — belief that he could’ve done better. “Iyer didn’t expect that from me. But after that, he showed leadership by supporting me off the field,” Shashank said.
The incident may have stung in the moment, but it’s now a story of accountability, growth, and mutual respect — even when faced with Shreyas Iyer’s angry sideline.
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED: Steve Smith Gears Up for WTC Final After 3-Month Break
