IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer Aims to Secure Trophy for Punjab Kings

New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) The captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, is determined to make history for the team by clinching their inaugural title in the upcoming IPL 2025 season starting on March 22.

Iyer was acquired by Punjab for Rs 26.75 crore during last year's mega auction in Jeddah and was appointed as the team's captain earlier this year. The talented batsman previously led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory in the 2024 season.

"Since the moment I was selected in the auction, my ambition has been evident - the Punjab Kings have yet to win the IPL, and my aim is to lift the trophy for them. Achieving this would be a momentous occasion, and I want to bring joy to the fans and give them a cause to celebrate. A traditional Punjabi celebration at the season's conclusion would be extraordinary," Iyer shared on JioHotstar's Superstars.

Reflecting on his initial IPL experience, Iyer remembered being a ball boy at Wankhede Stadium for a match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) back in 2008 when he was just 14 years old, stating, "I grew up playing street cricket in my neighborhood, and then I was part of Mumbai’s U-14 team. All the kids from the Mumbai squad were given the role of ball boys, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. That was my first close encounter with the IPL."

"I recall feeling shy and reserved, but when I saw my friends approaching players, I felt left out and decided to do the same. Ross Taylor was one of my favorite players back then, so I approached him and said, ‘Sir, I’m a huge fan of yours'. He was very kind and thanked me. Back then, it was common to ask for a bat or gloves, but I was too shy to ask, even though I really wanted to," he added.

Iyer also reminisced about meeting Irfan Pathan and being captivated by the charismatic Punjab Kings team, which was led by Yuvraj Singh at that time.

"I distinctly remember Irfan Pathan standing at long-on. He sat next to us and inquired if we were enjoying the match. We told him we were having an amazing time and were excited to see him. At that time, Irfan bhai was extremely popular, and the Punjab team had some of the most attractive players, including Yuvi pa (Yuvraj Singh). It’s a cherished memory that has stayed with me for years," he said.

Iyer expressed his views on commentary in regional languages, stating, "We do enjoy it. When we began playing cricket, we used to converse in our own languages in the dressing room. In Mumbai, we even have unique names for shots. Different regions have their own ways of describing how a shot was played. The first time we hear it, it’s quite a cultural shock - it’s fascinating to learn about these varied expressions in cricket as we progress to the international level."

The Punjab Kings will face the Gujarat Titans in their opening match of the season in Ahmedabad on March 25.