During the 17th to 20th overs of the Punjab Kings' innings in their IPL 2025 opener against the Gujarat Titans, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer faced just four deliveries, accumulating seven runs. He remained not out at 97, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century; however, the prospect of reaching three figures did not occupy his thoughts during the final overs. Shashank Singh, who took the majority of the strike in the concluding three overs and propelled PBKS to a spectacular finish with a series of boundaries and sixes, conveyed that Shreyas's directive was unmistakable: "Focus on hitting as many boundaries as possible; do not concern yourself with my hundred."

Shashank adhered to this instruction. Entering the crease at No. 7 in the 16th over, the right-handed batsman, known for his finishing prowess in the previous IPL season, scored an impressive 44 runs off just 16 balls, including six fours and two sixes, elevating Punjab's total to 243 for 5.

"To be completely honest, from the very first ball, Shreyas emphasized, 'don’t worry about my hundred! Just concentrate on the ball and respond accordingly,'" Shashank shared with Star Sports during the innings break.

Although Shreyas did not face any deliveries in the final over, Shashank managed to hit Mohammed Siraj for five fours, amassing 23 runs in that over. This performance ultimately played a crucial role in PBKS securing an 11-run victory in a high-scoring match. Had Shashank Singh considered giving the strike to Shreyas to allow him to complete his century instead of aggressively pursuing runs, it is uncertain what the final total for Punjab might have been.

‘I didn’t look at the scoreboard': Shashank Singh on Shreyas Iyer missing century

During the post-match presentation, Shashank disclosed that he had contemplated allowing Shreyas to take the strike in the final over. However, before he could voice his thoughts, the captain approached him and encouraged him to aim for as many boundaries as possible.

"I didn't pay attention to the scoreboard initially. After hitting the first ball, I took a quick look and noticed that Shreyas was on 97. I refrained from saying anything. He came over and reassured me, saying, 'Shashank, don't worry about my century.' Naturally, I was about to ask if I should give him a single, but it requires a lot of heart and courage to achieve a hundred. Scoring centuries in the IPL is no easy feat," Shashank shared with reporters in Ahmedabad.

The all-rounder from Chhattisgarh expressed that Shreyas' selflessness further inspired him. "The way Shreyas encouraged me, saying, 'Shashank, go and hit every ball for a boundary or six,' boosted my confidence even more. While it’s a team sport, being selfless in such moments is challenging, and Shreyas exemplified that. I have known him for 10 to 15 years, and he remains the same. Thankfully, we finished strongly," he added.

Shashank also commended his close friend Shreyas, with whom he played age-group cricket in Mumbai, for his leadership while defending a total of 243 on a favorable batting surface with dew affecting the outfield.

Shreyas brought in Vijaykumar Vyshak as an Impact Substitute after the 13th over of the GT chase, and the right-arm pacer effectively restricted well-set batsmen Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford with his skillfully executed wide yorkers.

"Shreyas is among the finest captains. He relies on his instincts. I also believe that bringing in Vijaykumar Vyshak at that moment was the right decision," he remarked.

Read Also: IPL 2025 RR vs KKR Live Streaming: TV Channels & Online Viewing Details

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