PBKS vs MI, IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer Aims to Prove His Worth After England Tour Snub
In a high-stakes encounter at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Punjab Kings (PBKS) lock horns with the mighty Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday, as both teams vie for a coveted top-two finish in the IPL 2025 league stage. While the clash promises fireworks with explosive batting and fierce bowling on display, all eyes will be on PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, who has a personal point to prove after being excluded from India’s Test squad for the upcoming England tour.
Iyer’s omission from the national red-ball setup, despite a string of impressive domestic performances and a notable showing in the recent Champions Trophy, has sparked debate. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar bluntly stated that there’s ‘no room in Test cricket’ for Iyer at the moment, a comment that undoubtedly stings the 30-year-old batter. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, however, has urged Iyer to stay resilient. Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar said, “He has done nothing wrong. He’s scored heaps of runs across formats. It’s tough on Iyer, but with age on his side, he must keep delivering big hundreds. He could be back sooner than later.”
For Iyer, the IPL 2025 stage offers the perfect platform to channel his frustration into performance. Leading PBKS this season, he has silenced doubters with a refined approach to batting and sharp captaincy. After guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title last year, Iyer’s form has only soared in 2025, earning him widespread praise. Across 13 innings, he has piled up 488 runs at a staggering average of 48.80 and a strike rate of 172.44, including five fifties, 29 sixes, and 37 fours. These numbers underline his aggressive yet consistent style, making him one of the standout performers of the season.
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting has been vocal about Iyer’s evolution, highlighting his technical adjustments and composed decision-making. “Shreyas has worked on his timing and hand-eye coordination. His ability to read the game and lead from the front is exceptional,” Ponting noted. As PBKS prepare for this crucial fixture with 17 points from 13 games, a win could cement their top-two spot—a target they missed in their last outing against Delhi Capitals at the same venue.
Mumbai Indians, with 16 points from 13 matches, share a similar ambition. Led by the dynamic Hardik Pandya, MI boast a formidable lineup, blending explosive batting with a lethal bowling attack. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, with his pinpoint yorkers, and Trent Boult, with his early swing, form a deadly pace duo. Add to that Deepak Chahar’s control in the middle overs and Mitchell Santner’s guile in spin, and MI’s bowling unit looks poised to challenge PBKS’s batting depth.
PBKS, however, are no pushovers. Their bowling attack, featuring Arshdeep Singh’s swing, Marco Jansen’s bounce, and Harpreet Brar’s crafty spin, brings versatility to the table, even if it lacks the experience of MI’s arsenal. The clash will ultimately boil down to a battle of wits—MI’s proven resources against PBKS’s uber-talented youngsters. Iyer’s strategic acumen as captain will be under the scanner as he faces Pandya’s tactical prowess in this do-or-die encounter.
As the IPL 2025 league stage nears its climax, this match carries immense significance beyond just points. For Shreyas Iyer, it’s an opportunity to send a loud message to the selectors—a reminder of his undeniable talent and hunger for success. Will he steer PBKS to victory and inch closer to national redemption, or will MI’s might prove too much to handle? Cricket fans are in for a thrilling showdown under the Jaipur lights.