A week ago, Punjab Kings left the cricketing fraternity stunned with a stunning run chase in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League 2025 against Mumbai Indians. At the forefront of this effort was skipper Shreyas Iyer, who played an innings to remember of 87* from a mere 41 balls at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. His brilliance took Punjab to the IPL final, even though their journey was halted in disappointment by a defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3.

Following the ferocious battle against Mumbai, the emotions remained charged as the players greeted each other with traditional handshakes. It was in this instant that Iyer was seen lashing out at teammate Shashank Singh using harsh words in what seemed like an animated argument. Shashank later reported that the tantrum was a result of his own carefree nature at a pivotal moment of the match, and one that could have been expensive. Though the incident created a tense situation, he subsequently ate with Iyer for dinner, acknowledging that the rebuke was warranted.

Shashank openly accepted his loss of concentration and went further to say, "I deserve it; Iyer should have slapped me; my father didn't speak to me till the finals." He admitted, "I was casual; I was walking on the beach, not even in the garden." It was an important moment; Shreyas was firm that I didn't expect this from you, but afterwards he treated me to dinner." The event did not have any impact on their personal equation, reflecting the leadership and maturity of the Punjab Kings captain. 

Praise for a Leader Who Leads with Balance

Even in the wake of the incident, Shashank Singh praised Shreyas Iyer's captaincy to the hilt and labeled him the best captain of present times in world cricket. "Whatever I have told others and witnessed, there is no better captain than him at present times in world cricket," he opined. He pressed upon how Iyer allows his teammates freedom along with accountability, forming a well-balanced atmosphere in which all find a place and are motivated to perform."

Also Read: 3 players RCB should consider trading in after IPL 2025 ft. Smaran Ravichandran

Shashank further commented, "He gives us space; he treats everybody alike. Nobody will say, Shreyas has an attitude. The young ones in the dressing room can get along with him as a chill bandaa (chill guy). Shreyas is the lone captain, who informed us that if somebody has any idea while playing, he can come and tell it to him". If he thinks it's the right counsel, he will accept it. It's not common." This mix of authority and accessibility has turned Shreyas Iyer into one of the most well-respected and successful captains in contemporary cricket.

In a stunning scenario after Punjab Kings' (PBKS) dramatic win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, skipper Shreyas Iyer was seen directing his frustration at teammate Shashank Singh. The incident occurred as the teams shook hands during the post-match. Iyer's frustration boiled over after Shashank showed no urgency while running between the wickets during a key moment of the match, which may have cost PBKS the match. Iyer's response demonstrated the level of emotion and desperation involved in the moment and the level of intensity in a match.

This incident illustrates the emotion and pressure involved in playoff situations where every run and every decision is ultimately huge. Shashank is known for his big hitting - and for his calm demeanor - which perhaps made it all the more disappointing that during the tensest part of the game he seemed to be jogging between the wickets, which prompted Iyer's response. This incident did not eclipse PBKS's performance overall, but it shows fine margins often define success.

Shreyas Iyer's Match-Winning Knock

Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 87 from 41 balls was instrumental in PBKS's Qualifier 2 triumph against MI, stabilizing and taking the chase to the end under pressure. His well-judged risks and big shots kept PBKS on track, winning a five-wicket victory with an over to spare.

Watch the video here

#PBKSvsMI Shreyas Iyer angry on Shashank for His absence in running between games … pic.twitter.com/RCMPwJscvY

— . (@itzfcking18) June 1, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025, Qualifier 2: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Full Match Highlights

PBKS currently comes up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 Final, and this encounter promises to be high-stakes and fiercely competitive as both teams battle for the much-desired title. Fans are equally thrilled by the prospect that this match could finally break a year-long title drought for both teams. Notably, in the entire history of the IPL, neither side has ever clinched the championship.

In their last league match of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings beat five-time champions Mumbai Indians to claim the top spot in the points table. With this win, Punjab Kings have secured a place in the top two. Now, the final league match between RCB and LSG will decide who else joins them. Earlier, explosive Punjab Kings batsman Shashank Singh predicted his team would finish in the top two—and he was right.

In a recent interview, Shashank spoke about the team’s success under captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting. He said that right after the auction, he set a goal in their WhatsApp group: “First finish in the top two, then win the IPL.” He also shared the story of their first team meeting.

Also Read -[WATCH] Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates with PBKS youngsters after topping IPL 2025 table

Shashank Singh had predicted before the tournament that Punjab Kings would finish in the top 2, and now his words have come true. In an old interview on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, Shashank confidently said that this time, Punjab would be among the top teams. After Punjab Kings' big win over Mumbai Indians, that video has started going viral once again. The franchise also shared the old clip of Shashank’s statement on their social media.

Shashank Singh said, "after the auction, we manifested it on our WhatsApp group to finish in Top 2 first and then win the IPL". pic.twitter.com/RCSzD7SFQb

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 27, 2025

After Punjab (PBKS) secured their spot in the top 2, Shashank reacted by saying, “This season we played as a team. After the auction, we created a WhatsApp group and spoke about winning the title this year. Our first goal was to come in the top 2, and we have crossed that hurdle.” Punjab Kings have now reached Qualifier 1 after 11 years. The last time they reached this stage was in 2014. Now, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, the team will get two chances to make it to the final and aim to win their first IPL trophy.

Even before the 2025 edition of IPL began, Shashank Singh predicted that Punjab Kings (PBKS) would be in the top 2, and now, after the 14th match of the league, PBKS is in first place after defeating Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Singh, on March 17, 2025, predicted that their team will be at the top of the points table.

He was confident about finishing in the top 2 after the 14th match, the last match of the league stage. The PBKS batter predicted that on March 17, and that actually happened in real life on May 26. Punjab Kings outclassed Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare. 

Yesterday (May 26), batting first, Mumbai Indians scored 184 for 7. Suryakumar Yadav at number 3 tried his best with another half-century on board, this time 57 off 39, to take Mumbai Indians to a fighting total of 184. The match was similarly crucial for both teams, as PBKS and MI both had a chance to confirm a top 2 spot. Iyer's PBKS was unstoppable; they achieved the total with 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare. Josh Inglis, for his 73 off 42, got the man of the match award. Shreyas Iyer remained not out for 26, facing 16 balls.

Read More: 'Dhoni finishes off in style'- Ravi Shastri turns 62; remember his ageless lines

After the PBKS vs. MI match, Shreyas Iyer led the side, now in first position with 19 points after 14 games. Gujarat Titans is in the second spot with 18 points in 14 matches, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, remaining to play their last league match, currently has 17 points in 13 games. Mumbai Indians, with 16 points, are in the 4th spot after playing 14 matches. 

Singh predicted about 4 more teams

Not only on the future of Punjab Kings, Shashank Singh also predicted correctly about three other teams also—Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Mumbai Indians. The middle-order batter said before that KKR, the defending champion, may not be able to make their way to the top 4 because their skipper, Shreyas Iyer, joined PBKS, and now that's the truth: KKR is knocked out. 

Watch the prediction here

17th March - Shashank Singh said Punjab Kings will finish in the Top 2.

26th May - Punjab Kings finishes in the Top 2 and plays Qualifier 1. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/mP7BRj3Ik0

— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) May 26, 2025

Singh further predicted that Mumbai and Bengaluru can progress further in IPL 2025 along with PBKS. But he was wrong about Sunrisers Hyderabad. He thought that Hyderabad could be in the top 4, but they couldn't. 

On May 26th, PBKS decimated MI in a high-octane thriller to storm their way to the top of the points table on the back of a swashbuckling 7-wicket victory. Josh Inglis (73 off 42) and Priyansh Arya (62 off 35) went all guns blazing with the bat and helped PBKS chase down a tricky target of 185 with nine balls to spare. A finish in the top two will give PBKS two chances of making it to the finals.

On the backdrop of a dazzling win from PBKS, Shahsank Singh showered heaps of praise on Ricky Poting and Shreyas Iyer and lauded them for their tactical brilliance. The PBKS captain, Shreyas Iyer, now finds himself on the cusp of a rare feat as the possibility of two consecutive title wins for him looms large.

See also: Top 3 reasons why Mumbai Indians Lost to Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 Match 69

Shashank shares his perspective on the PBKS team culture

Shashank commended Ponting and Shreyas for instilling a positive cultural transformation within the team. He even went on to admit that Chahal, who is the seniormost player in their squad, would be treated the same way as their team bus driver. 

"Day 1, Ricky Ponting and Shreyas both told us. Like, they will treat Yuzvendra Chahal, maybe the most senior player, and our bus driver the same. I mean, this is something and they have maintained this. They have shown the same respect to Yuzvendra Chahal and to our bus driver, which says a lot about the team."

PBKS's off-field attitude to care and respect for one another has had a positive bearing on their performances on the field. Team members from all walks of life, irrespective of their seniority, are being treated the same way. Seeing something like this can go a long way in helping PBKS transform their overall team mindset. 

As far as Chahal's participation in the future IPL games is concerned, the veteran leggie continues to be in the injury cloud and, in all likelihood, will miss the playoffs this year due to a finger injury. The outcome of today's IPL fixture between LSG and RCB tonight will determine the final standings and the playoff fixtures. 

Punjab Kings (PBKS), in a crucial moment against Rajasthan Royals (RR), found a match-winning captain in the form of Shashank Singh, who was leading the team from the front after their regular skipper, Shreyas Iyer, subbed off from the field due to injury reasons.

Royals, with young openers in front, produced a blazing trail in the initial stage of the second inning. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were looking unstoppable, dealing with only boundaries and over boundaries, until Singh asked Harpreet Brar to step onto the floor.

The spinner, who replaced Iyer in the lineup, took the wickets of RR openers. Along with Brar, credit goes to stand-in captain Shashank Singh for utilizing the bowler at the right time. In the end, PBKS defeated RR by a margin of 10 runs. Shashank Singh was mostly an unknown face until Punjab bought him into the squad for IPL 2024, followed by a retention during the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Read More: 3 major reasons behind PBKS qualifying for playoffs after 11 years in IPL 2025

Shashank will welcome new role if PBKS assigns

After the heroic win against the Royals, Singh shared more information about his career. The lower middle batter revealed that he gained leadership experiences in the DY Patil T20 tournament, and he will be open to doing the same if PBKS offers. 

"I have been leading in the DY Patil T20 tournament for five years, and touch wood, I’m doing good so far. Even for Chhattisgarh, if the management considers me capable of leading the side, I will accept it happily. I feel that I have the ability to lead a side and win a championship. Similarly, if Punjab Kings wants to try me as captain, I will definitely grab that opportunity with both hands and make proper use of it. I will be grateful but not expecting anything," he said in an interview. 

Shreyas Iyer, in unfortunate circumstances, injured the index finger of his hand while practising for the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur. During the match, Iyer did bat but not at his usual number. The right hand batter came further down, looked down and out, and didn't have the captain's armband too while his side took the field in the second innings. Instead, he was substituted, and Shashank Singh led the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in his absence. However, there has been no confirmation yet from any source, neither him nor the franchise, about his availability in the games ahead. With PBKS affirming their playoff spot last night, and yet having a couple of matches more to play in the league, they must be prepared for all the eventualities. 

The North Indian franchise's regular skipper became the first player in the history of the tournament to make three teams qualify for the playoffs as captain. He first accomplished this feat as the leader of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2019 and 2020. Moreover, in 2020, he took them to the finals, only to get beaten by the Mumbai Indians (MI). Second, he led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title glory last year, and now this season with PBKS, he, as their captain, has made them qualify for the playoffs after 11 years, and the first time since 2014. PBKS, then known as Kings XI Punjab, had lost in the final to KKR. 

Different jerseys, same leadership DNA 🧬🫡

Will this be the season Shreyas Iyer takes PBKS all the way? 🤔#TATAIPL | @PunjabKingsIPL | @ShreyasIyer15 pic.twitter.com/poIirhscGM

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2025

See Also: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Harpreet Brar's classic thigh five celebration after dismissing Riyan Parag in RR vs PBKS match

In a worst-case scenario, if PBKS are forced to explore captaincy options due to the possibility of Shreyas' unavailability, then there can be a few candidates for the prestigious role. A deeper look into that might help understand which players can lead the franchise. Add to it the magnitude of the upcoming games, and it would be a serious headache for the team management if it goes that route. 

Shashank Singh 

Having been made the stand-in skipper, in Iyer's absence, against RR, he seems to have the full trust of the head coach, Ricky Ponting, and his backroom staff. Although he was guided by Shreyas and the coach while defending their total, but if left alone, he will feel confident of leading the side in this extremely vital business stage of the tournament. When batting, lower down the order for the Kings, aiming to finish well, he plays maturely and responsibly, and this character might aid him if asked to don the captaincy hat. 

Prabhsimran Singh

Although he has never captained any team, in any format and on any level, now being the first-choice wicketkeeper of the team in Josh Inglis' absence, he can be thrown into the skipper duties. From behind the stumps, he has a bird's eye view of the game and sees the action unfold in front of him.  This game sense can help him while making all the bowling changes and setting the field accordingly. 

Arshdeep Singh

The leader of the bowling attack for the team, he is always seen giving his valuable inputs towards making things happen. He is progressive on the field and would relish if made the captain. Being already in the think tank, he will have an added advantage and would feel strategically confident enough to lead his side in case the regular skipper cannot. 

PBKS would hope that Shreyas Iyer recovers in time for their upcoming games and is deemed fit enough to not only lead but also contribute massively with the bat, as he is known for and has done positively for the team. Taking a player of his calibre out of any side would create a huge hole in their chances to progress and put a stake forward for winning the silverware.  

Today, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Punjab Kings played against Rajasthan Royals of the IPL 2025. Shashank Singh, captaining in place of the regular skipper, was the biggest contributor with a thrilling 59 off 30 balls and a befitting example of a finisher. His innings Powerpacked with a remarkable reverse sweep off Akash Madhwal, that took Punjab Kings to a gigantic total of 219/5. 

After taking over the captaincy due to the injury of Shreyas Iyer, Shashank had a successful and cool-headed performance. He was a good strategic leader who made crucial field placements and bowling changes, thus preventing Rajasthan Royals from scoring successfully. This game was a significant step in his captaincy role with the team.

The Punjab Kings and Shashank Singh's meeting started last year during the 2024 season, from where he started by getting 354 runs in 164.65 strike rate. Recognizing his ability, the franchise decided to give him ₹5.5 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction and made him one of the two retained players of the team.

A Future Leader

Since the beginning of the IPL 2025, Shashank has become a player who has always led the team with fantastic performances. In 13 matches, he has been able to score a total of 273 runs at an average of 45.50 and a strike rate of 152.50, and has also driven the team to victory on three occasions by scoring 50 or more runs. His capabilities as the perfect anchor of the innings and someone who can score quickly have been vital for the Punjab Kings' dominance in the tournament.

Also Read: Why did Virat Kohli stay silent as fans came in rain to celebrate his legacy?

Shashank Singh has been the perfect illustration of resilience and a strong will; one moment he was unpredictably drafted from the auction and the next he's the one carrying the team on the field. The work he's been doing has maintained the high spirit of the other players and the fans, for they have acknowledged Shashank as the pivotal player in the quest of Punjab Kings for the IPL 2025 title.

In a moving and sentimental moment, Punjab Kings batsman Shashank Singh left AB de Villiers speechless with a tale from way back in the 2016 T20 World Cup. The occasion came on a recent episode of de Villiers' hit podcast, AB de Villiers 360, where Shashank produced a vintage photo of himself standing alongside the South African icon — a real fan-to-hero full-circle experience.

In their casual conversation, Shashank remembered the day he met AB de Villiers in Mumbai when the South African team played a practice match against a local team. "You had visited Mumbai for the 2016 T20 World Cup and had played a warm-up game against us. I had made 20 odd runs from 12 balls and got bowled by Rabada. That day I had received an autographed t-shirt from you." This is a fan moment for me —I’m feeling extremely lucky right now,” Shashank shared, clearly emotional about the memory.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by AB de Villiers (@abdevilliers17)

Also read: Kagiso Rabada honors Test cricket legends Virat Kohli and Hashim Amla with respectful tribut

AB de Villiers Commends Shashank's Tenacity and Journey

The great batter did not shy away from praising Shashank. Famous for enjoying tales of perseverance and grit, de Villiers opined, "I really admire you. The journey that you've been through and not giving up — that never-say-die spirit. I love people with that kind of attitude, and here you are today, and we're celebrating you.

De Villiers even promised that he'll be closely monitoring the Indian batter's future. "I've got my eye on you, and I'll be following your journey with lots of interest," he said.

Shashank Singh has actually been one of the standout performers for PBKS in IPL 2025. His explosive finishing has seen him accumulate 214 runs in 11 games this season at a strike rate of 142.66 and an average of 53.50. Overall, he has 637 IPL runs from 35 games with three half-centuries and a staggering strike rate above 150.

This wholesome dialogue was not merely a testament to how far Shashank has traveled but also an appreciation of cricket's ability to instill and unite the generations.

Prithvi Shaw, the erstwhile Indian opener, posted a mysterious Instagram story on May 14, 2025, saying that he "needs a break" days ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumption on May 17. The IPL was postponed on May 9 due to tensions along the India-Pakistan border, but a ceasefire deal has opened the door for the resumption of the league, with the last now planned for June 3. Shaw's career has been stuck in limbo after going unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of Rs 75 lakh; he last played competitive cricket in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December 2024, where he had a poor time, getting two ducks in four innings.

Shaw's career has been plagued by ongoing fitness problems and poor form, resulting in him being left out of the Mumbai team for the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy tournaments. Once a prodigy after making a Test century on debut in 2018, the 25-year-old's recent form has been poor, hurting his chances of a national recall. Punjab Kings (PBKS) ace Shashank Singh, who has played with Shaw for Mumbai, recently included him in the list of possible future openers for India, along with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but hinted Shaw must change his work ethic, including sleep patterns and diet, to revive his career.

Overlooked Amid IPL Replacements

Even as IPL teams go all out in search of replacements in the wake of injuries and player withdrawals—Rajasthan Royals losing Jofra Archer and Chennai Super Kings losing Sam Curran, for instance—Prithvi Shaw's name is never mentioned, sparking questions why he's being left behind. Franchises such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are struggling with overseas player shortages themselves, but Shaw, a domestic prospect with previous IPL experience of 1892 runs in 79 games, has not been under consideration, perhaps because his fitness has been a worry and his current form has not been great.

Prithvi Shaw Instagram Story #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/jrOwH2Tx0h

— Raja (@_raja_kumar) May 14, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: Good News for RCB fans as star player marks his confirmation for reminder of tournament

Shaw's puzzling post has led fans to question his mental health and cricketing future as well as whether the break signals either a step back or a possible return. With the IPL 2025 following a break, there will still be time to see if Shaw can navigate his way around and prove himself capable of competitive cricket, or if he will continue to drift out of the limelight.