Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a commanding victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their IPL 2025 clash, with captain Shreyas Iyer delivering a match-winning half-century. Following the triumph, PBKS not only celebrated Iyer’s performance on social media but also took a subtle dig at LSG captain Rishabh Pant.
Pant, who was acquired for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, had previously expressed his relief that Punjab Kings did not pick him. Speaking to JioStar after being named LSG’s captain, Pant remarked, “Mera ek hi tension tha, wo tha Punjab (I had only one tension, which was getting picked by Punjab).”
PBKS swiftly responded with a cheeky retort on their X handle, posting a video of Shreyas Iyer along with the caption, “Tension toh auction mein hi khatam ho gayi thi (Our tension was over at the auction)!” This response seemingly suggested that PBKS had deliberately chosen Iyer over Pant at the auction table. Iyer, initially the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought for Rs 26.75 crore, briefly held that title before LSG shattered the record by spending Rs 27 crore on Pant.
Under Iyer’s leadership, PBKS has enjoyed a strong start to IPL 2025, climbing to second place in the points table after their dominant win over LSG. His performances with the bat have further justified Punjab Kings’ decision to invest heavily in him.
Iyer’s exceptional form starkly contrasts Pant’s struggles. While Iyer has remained unbeaten, amassing 149 runs in his first two games, Pant has failed to make an impact, registering scores of 0, 15, and 2 in his first three matches for LSG.
The PBKS captain set the tone in their opening match against Gujarat Titans (GT), smashing an explosive unbeaten 97 to propel his team to a formidable 243. Against LSG, he once again delivered, guiding PBKS to a successful chase of 172 with a blistering 52 off just 30 balls, ensuring he remained not out.
Iyer’s consistency extends beyond the IPL. He played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) IPL 2024 title-winning campaign, remaining unbeaten in all successful chases. Additionally, he was India’s leading run-scorer in the Champions Trophy 2025 and led Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
