IPL 2025: 'Variety is spice of life', says PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer after huge win over RCB

Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a dominating win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rain-affected match in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) clash in Bengaluru on Friday (April 18).

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was all smiles after the win. With the match reduced to 14 overs per side, PBKS chased down a target of 96 in 12.1 overs after restricting RCB to 95/9, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort and a quick cameo by Nehal Wadhera.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer praised the unpredictability of T20 cricket, saying, "Variety is the spice of life, and we are here to experience all kinds of games here; it's a great challenge."

The Punjab skipper also opened up about his on-field decisions during the game, admitting they were largely instinctive. "There was no thinking to be honest, I was just taking instinctive moves. I just didn't want new batters to come in and settle in. Jansen was getting a lot of bounce, and he was bowling lethally," he added.

Marco Jansen indeed proved to be a game-changer, with figures of 2/10, and using the surface's bounce to his advantage.

"To be honest, we didn't know how the wicket was going to feel, but the bowlers adapted to it. I had a chat with Arshdeep, and he said the hard-length balls were hard to hit. That was the chatter in the middle, and they executed brilliantly," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Nehal Wadhera, who finished the game with an unbeaten 33 off 19 balls, got special praise from Iyer. "His approach was wonderful today," Iyer said. 

Iyer also spoke highly of Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 2/11. "I personally had a chat with him and told him that you are a match-winner and you need to get us as many wickets as possible...He has a capability of bouncing back, and he is one of the best bowlers in the IPL," he signed off.