IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer 'most improved batsman', says former India captain after his debut knock for PBKS

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Shreyas Iyer made a bold statement with the bat in Punjab Kings' (PBKS) opening match of IPL 2025, smashing an unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls to steer his team to an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

His explosive knock, featuring five fours and nine sixes, reaffirmed his status as a formidable middle-order batter, even as he remains out of BCCI's central contract.

Following his stellar performance, former India captain Sourav Ganguly lauded Iyer, calling him the "most improved batsman" over the past year. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ganguly remarked, "Shreyas Iyer the most improved batsman in last 1 yr .. ready for all formats. Great to see his improvement after a few issues on length."

His endorsement has reignited discussions about Iyer's potential return to India's Test and T20I squads. Despite his omission from the BCCI central contract in 2024, reportedly due to missing a domestic fixture, Iyer has continued to let his bat do the talking.

He played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, finishing as the tournament's highest run-scorer. However, his place in the national setup remains uncertain, especially in the red-ball and shortest formats.

Speaking after PBKS' victory, Iyer expressed his delight over his match-winning innings. "Ecstatic, to be honest. Getting 97 in the first match is always the icing on the cake. No better feeling. It was important for me to adapt. I got four off the first ball, and that gave an immense boost," he said.

With his attacking strokeplay and ability to anchor innings, Iyer's resurgence could put pressure on the Indian selectors to reconsider his exclusion from the T20I and Test squads. Meanwhile, he will look to carry forward his red-hot form when PBKS faces Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next IPL 2025 fixture on April 1 in Lucknow.