Shreyas Iyer braves an injury to bat in the RR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

Punjab Kings are all but through to the IPL 2025 playoffs with their latest win over Rajasthan Royals. Already out of contention, RR tried but could not spoil the party for PBKS at home in Jaipur. Punjab Kings held their nerve to defend the 219-run total despite missing their skipper Shreyas Iyer on the field. The captain started out in the PBKS Playing XI as the team opted to bat first in the afternoon fixture. However, Iyer was subbed out in the second innings as PBKS took the field to defend their par score in Jaipur. Meanwhile, Shashank Singh led the team as Shreyas Iyer remained in the dugout with an injury.

Shreyas Iyer opens up about his injury following the RR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer was withdrawn before the second innings began in the RR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match, with left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar stepping in as the Impact Player. The on-air commentators revealed that Iyer, who had led the side at the toss and also batted in the first innings, was managing a minor injury and couldn’t return to the field. As a result, Punjab handed over the captaincy duties to Shashank Singh for the crucial defence of the total, which was vital to keeping their playoff hopes alive.

While Iyer’s absence meant Punjab Kings were missing a seasoned leader on the field, the 30-year-old had already made a meaningful contribution with the bat. He held the innings together with a composed 30 off 25 deliveries after the early loss of opener Prabhsimran Singh, who had made a brisk 21 from just 10 balls. RR threatened to chase of the mammonth total with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashing 50 in just the third over. However, a triple strike by Harpreet Brar in the conclusive phase ensured that Punjab Kings win the RR vs PBKS match by 10 runs.

With PBKS toying with the edge of IPL 2025 playoffs, Shreyas Iyer revealed that he was subbed out of the chase in Jaipur. The Punjab Kings captain explained that he had injured his forefinger during a training session a day ahead of the RR vs PBKS match. While Iyer braved through the injury to bat in the first innings, the skipper opted against aggravating the niggle by fielding as well.

"The reason is the finger over here (pointing at his forefinger). I don't know what has happened. Yesterday while practising I got hit, I will have to go and check what is the issue here," Iyer explained in the post-match presentation.