Few stories in IPL 2025 have been as stirring as that of Shreyas Iyer. Cast adrift after the KKR non-retention saga and overlooked by Indian management in Tests and T20Is, and under pressure to prove his mettle, Iyer has risen with aplomb.
At the heart of Punjab Kings’ surprise surge to the final, he has anchored chases, counterpunched when needed, and led with a certain point to prove. Punjab Kings have qualified for an IPL final after 11 years, and Iyer would certainly be feeling cosmic pressure on his shoulders to end the silverware hoodoo for PBKS.
Shreyas Iyer needs to be wary of Hazlewood’s class
But Tuesday’s final in Ahmedabad might hinge on a familiar, thorny matchup — Iyer’s short-circuit against RCB’s menace, Josh Hazlewood. The Australian has been RCB’s standout this season — 21 wickets, scalps in the powerplay, and economy under pressure.
Hazlewood has averaged a jaw-dropping 15.81, which is the best for anyone in the league. His exceptional bowling SR of 11.43 is also just bonkers. His dismantling of Punjab’s top order in Qualifier 1 — Inglis and Iyer both undone — set the tone for RCB’s dominant route to the IPL final.
PBKS’ MVP vs RCB’s MVP: Battle to decide IPL winner
For all of Iyer’s technical elegance and might, Hazlewood has him on a leash. The numbers are staggering: in six T20 innings, Iyer has scored just 11 runs off 22 balls from Hazlewood and been dismissed four times. An average of 2.75. A strike rate of 50. “Bunny”, a tag well worth putting as of now.
It’s the subtle deception that does it. Hazlewood’s high release and upright seam often push Iyer onto the backfoot, wary of the bounce. Then comes the sucker punch when he bowls a fuller ball, drawing Iyer forward just enough to induce the outside edge. The script repeated itself in Qualifier 1. It’s what Pat Cummins did in the World Cup final, too. He bowled a sharp bouncer, then a pitch-up, and to crush Iyer’s World Cup dreams.
If PBKS are to lift their maiden IPL trophy, their captain must finally conquer his nemesis.
Shreyas Iyer vs Josh Hazlewood – Stats you need to know
| Format | Inn | Runs | Balls | Outs | SR | Av | 4s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 2 | 50 | 42 | 2 | 119.0 | 25.0 | 6 |
| T20 | 6 | 11 | 22 | 4 | 50.0 | 2.75 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 61 | 64 | 6 | 95.3 | 10.2 | 7 |
The post ‘Bunny’ Shreyas Iyer to fail against Josh Hazlewood again? Battle to decide IPL 2025 winner appeared first on Inside Sport India.