Iyer Shares Emotional Moment After First Practice in Champions Trophy

Synopsis

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer opened up about his emotional reaction after India's first practice for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He detailed his feelings of frustration and determination, highlighting his performance as the tournament's top scorer and the importance of a strong start in the IPL.

Key Takeaways

Shreyas Iyer cried during practice due to frustration.
He was India's top scorer in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
His performance included key innings against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Punjab Kings started the season with impressive victories.
Iyer stressed the importance of humility and a good start.

New Chandigarh, April 7 (NationPress) Captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, who concluded the 2025 Champions Trophy as India's leading run-scorer, disclosed that he shed tears following India's initial practice session for the tournament, which took place in both Pakistan and Dubai.

"The last time I cried was during the first practice session of the 2025 Champions Trophy. I was genuinely crying because I struggled to bat properly in the nets. My frustration with myself led to tears, and I was taken aback because I don't often cry," Iyer recounted during an episode of 'Kandid with Kings' when actress Sahiba Bali asked him about the last occasion he cried.

"After performing well in the series against England, I anticipated continuing that momentum. However, the conditions were different, and adjusting on the very first day proved to be quite challenging. When practice concluded, I wanted to put in extra effort but didn't get the chance, which made me quite upset," he elaborated.

Iyer emerged as India's leading run-scorer in the tournament, accumulating 243 runs over five matches, including back-to-back half-centuries against Pakistan and New Zealand during the group phase. He also played a crucial innings of 48 runs in the final.

He secured a place in the Champions Trophy's Team of the Tournament alongside fellow players Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

The Punjab Kings kicked off their 2025 campaign strongly, achieving impressive victories over the Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants before suffering their first defeat against the Rajasthan Royals.

Iyer also emphasized the significance of starting the tournament with a win and maintaining humility throughout the season.

"The atmosphere is positive. For a successful IPL season, it is crucial to begin with a fantastic first game, and fortunately, we did just that. A good start boosts morale within the team and reflects in upcoming matches. However, it's equally essential to remain grounded," he stated.