Shreyas Iyer’s impressive leadership and batting prowess throughout IPL 2025 hit an unexpected low in Qualifier 1, as former Australian cricketer and IPL-winning coach Tom Moody criticised the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain for his rash dismissal. The incident occurred during a crucial phase of PBKS’ innings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with Iyer falling cheaply to Josh Hazlewood—again.
At the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Iyer’s innings lasted just three balls, scoring only two runs. Facing Hazlewood in the fourth over, Iyer attempted a wild slog at a good-length delivery outside off stump. The result? A thin edge straight into the gloves of wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.
The dismissal marked Hazlewood’s fourth success against Iyer in just six T20 innings. Statistically, Iyer has looked out of depth against the Aussie pacer, scoring a mere 11 runs off 22 deliveries at an average of 2.75 and a strike rate of just 50. Tom Moody didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment on ESPNcricinfo. He pointed out that Iyer’s decision-making betrayed a lack of situational awareness and personal discipline.
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“To me, he totally misread the game situation and his own situation,” said Tom Moody. “He would be fully aware Hazlewood has dominated him before. This wasn’t the time to prove a point—it was a time to buckle down.”
Moody went on to emphasise that Iyer’s approach reflected ego-driven cricket. “At times, you need to put your ego in your pocket and just move forward,” he said. “You didn’t have to dominate Hazlewood. All you had to do was survive and wait to attack the rest of the bowling lineup.”
Iyer’s record at Mullanpur has been forgettable this season, with scores of 10, 9, 0, 6, and 2. His poor form against RCB also continued—his scores against them this season now read 7, 6, and 2. For a batter who has otherwise sparkled this season, this continued pattern against a specific bowler and venue stands out like a sore thumb.
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Despite Iyer’s overall positive impact on PBKS in IPL 2025, his inability to overcome Hazlewood’s psychological edge may have cost his side dearly in one of their most important matches. With pressure mounting and consistency key in the playoffs, his failure to adapt when it mattered most is likely to be a talking point long after the tournament ends.
