IPL 2025 has witnessed two instances of players scoring exactly 97*, with Shreyas Iyer making a powerful debut for Punjab Kings, followed by Quinton de Kock's impressive performance in a successful run-chase for Kolkata Knight Riders against Rajasthan Royals.

De Kock played a pivotal role in securing the victory for the defending champions, striking 4, 6, and 6 off the final three deliveries bowled by Jofra Archer. He hit a six when he needed just five runs to reach a century, finishing his innings at 91* in only his second match for the Knight Riders.

The official X account of KKR expressed admiration for de Kock's innings, which was instrumental in navigating a challenging pitch, even though the target was not particularly large. KKR triumphed by 8 wickets, with 15 balls remaining.

Former KKR captain applauded for his own 97*

The previous day, Shreyas Iyer demonstrated impressive form as he smashed nine sixes on his way to an unbeaten 97 off 42 balls. Iyer was in pursuit of his first IPL century, having previously scored 96 on two occasions but failing to reach the milestone.

Preity Zinta, the owner of Punjab Kings, praised Shreyas's performance in his debut match for the team, expressing her admiration on X after PBKS's victory over Gujarat Titans: “What an incredible start to this tournament. Some 97’s are better than a hundred. Take a bow @ShreyasIyer15 for showcasing class, leadership, and aggression.”

Zinta expressed admiration for the team's cohesive performance, highlighting several other debutants from PBKS. Iyer, who captained KKR to victory in last year's IPL, made a significant move to Punjab Kings for INR 26.75 crore, now leading the franchise in their quest for their inaugural IPL title.

As Shreyas approached a century with a score of 97* and only a few balls remaining in the first innings, he opted to leave the finishing touches to PBKS's in-form player, Shashank Singh, who impressively scored 44* off just 16 deliveries.

Following the innings, Shashank shared with broadcasters that his captain advised him to focus on maximizing the team's total against Gujarat rather than fixating on his own century.

PBKS concluded the first innings with a score of 243/5, thanks to Shashank's explosive performance at the end, which elevated the total beyond GT's reach. Iyer received considerable praise for his strategic decision to allow Shashank to take the strike, as he hit boundaries on five deliveries in the final over instead of pursuing his personal milestone.

Read Also: BCCI Contract Update: Star Players Demoted, Emerging Talents Secure Spots

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!