Shreyas Iyer IPL 2025 Final Controversy: The IPL 2025 final, played on June 3, 2025, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Punjab Kings by six runs to claim their first IPL title after an 18-year wait.
Punjab Kings’ captain, Shreyas Iyer, faced intense criticism for his dismissal, with former cricketer Yograj Singh labelling it a “criminal offence.”
In this article, we explore the Shreyas Iyer IPL 2025 Final Controversy, Iyer’s performance, and the reactions to Yograj Singh’s statements. Let’s dive in.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 190/9 in 20 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring 43 runs off 35 balls and Jitesh Sharma contributing a quickfire 24 off 10 balls.
Punjab Kings, chasing 191, started strongly with an opening partnership of 43 runs between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 off 30 balls was outstanding, but Punjab Kings fell short at 184/7, losing by 6 runs.
A turning point came when Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for just 1 run off 2 balls by Romario Shepherd, shifting momentum to RCB.
Krunal Pandya’s 2/17 in 4 overs earned him Player of the Match, while Josh Hazlewood’s early strikes and Arshdeep Singh’s 3/40 for Punjab kept the game tight.
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The Shreyas Iyer IPL 2025 Final Controversy
Shreyas Iyer, coming off a match-winning 87* off 41 balls in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians, was expected to anchor Punjab Kings’ chase. However, his early dismissal in the 10th over, caught behind off a tentative shot to Shepherd, left Punjab at 81/3, with the required rate climbing.
Yograj Singh called Iyer’s shot a “criminal offence,” referencing advice from the late Ashok Mankad and suggesting it warranted a two-match ban under “Section 302.”
Singh told ANI, “There is no apology for that,” arguing Iyer’s reckless shot was the primary reason for Punjab’s loss. His comments went viral on social media, sparking widespread debate.
Yograj Singh’s Statements and Social Media Reaction
Yograj Singh’s harsh criticism of Iyer’s shot selection fueled controversy. Some fans agreed, pointing out that Iyer’s early exit disrupted Punjab’s momentum, especially after his poor showing in Qualifier 1, where Punjab was bowled out for 101 against RCB.
Critics highlighted Iyer’s history of rash shots in high-stakes games, like his dismissal for 48 in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Others, however, defended Iyer, praising his leadership in guiding Punjab Kings to their first final since 2014.
Shreyas Iyer’s IPL 2025 Season
Despite the final’s disappointment, Iyer had an outstanding IPL 2025. He led Punjab Kings to the final for only the second time in their history, showcasing fearless leadership and a strong batting lineup.
His 604 runs, including a match-defining 87* in Qualifier 2, made him Punjab’s top scorer. His 57% win rate as a captain underscores his leadership credentials, though his final performance drew criticism.
The Bigger Picture
The Shreyas Iyer IPL 2025 Final Controversy surrounding Iyer’s dismissal overshadowed Punjab Kings’ remarkable season. While Yograj Singh’s comments highlighted the high stakes of the final, Iyer’s leadership and batting prowess throughout IPL 2025 earned him significant support.
RCB’s victory, driven by Kohli’s experience and Pandya’s match-defining spell, marked a historic moment, but Punjab’s fearless campaign under Iyer suggests they will return stronger.
The debate over Iyer’s shot selection continues, with fans divided between criticism and admiration for his transformative impact on the Punjab Kings.
