E2BET: Irfan Pathan: Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan hailed Shreyas Iyer as the captain of IPL 2025 after the Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final league stage game in Jaipur on Monday, May 26. With a top-two finish on the line, PBKS produced a brilliant all-round performance to win by seven wickets and move to 19 points in their 14 outings.
Irfan Pathan: Iyer entered the 2025 IPL season after the title-winning skipper, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the championship last year. The 30-year-old immediately made his mark with PBKS during his maiden season with them, leading them to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Irfan Pathan: After their latest win over an in-form MI unit, Pathan posted on his X handle:
“Shreyas Iyer has been the Captain of the season so far!”
Irfan Pathan: Pathan also praised PBKS for moving to the top of the table, saying:
“Well done Punjab for being the Number 1 team so far. Brilliance From Priyansh Arya once again. Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, josh Inglis were in top form too.”
Irfan Pathan: Captaincy aside, Iyer has impressed with the bat, scoring 514 runs at an average of 51.40 and a strike rate of 171.90 in 14 matches.
Irfan Pathan: “Everyone stepped up at the right time” – Shreyas Iyer on PBKS’ brilliant IPL 2025 campaign
Punjab Kings rise to the top of the table! 🔥🔝
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) May 26, 2025
Mumbai Indians wrap up their league stage at No.4! 💥#IPL2025 #PBKSvMI #ShreyasIyer #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/k2Xn9CxohI
Shreyas Iyer commended all the PBKS players for stepping up at the crucial moments throughout the IPL 2025 stage games, helping the side win nine out of their 14 games. The side began their campaign with consecutive wins and haven’t looked back since, with the batting and bowling departments firing on all cylinders.
“I personally feel everyone stepped up at the right time. We have been in that mindset that we have to win no matter what situation. Kudos to everyone and the management. Ricky has been fantastic, and for me it was about gaining the trust of every individual. And that happened by winning matches, and I personally feel we need to maintain that relationship throughout.”
PBKS is one of only three teams that have played in every season of the IPL and never won the title. Entering this season, the franchise had qualified for the playoffs only twice in 17 years, with the runners-up finish in 2014 being their best result.
