Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer recently peeled back the layers of his emotional journey during India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign, offering fans a rare glimpse into the personal battles that often go unseen. In a heartfelt conversation on the “Kandid with Kings” show, Iyer revealed how a difficult net session in Dubai ahead of the tournament opener left him in tears and wrestling with self-doubt — a moment that ultimately became the turning point in a campaign where he emerged as India’s top performer.
Despite riding high on confidence after a prolific series against England, where he tallied 181 runs across three matches including two fifties, Iyer found himself completely out of rhythm during his first training session in Dubai. The adjustment to new conditions rattled him, and the frustration of not performing to his own expectations triggered an emotional response he hadn’t anticipated.
“The last time I cried was during the Champions Trophy,” Shreyas Iyer admitted. “It was the first practice session, and I just couldn’t get going. I was so disappointed with myself that I actually cried. I’m not someone who cries easily, so it caught me off guard. I was angry that I couldn’t execute anything I had in mind.”
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What added to his frustration was the inability to go back for extra batting once the practice session wrapped up. “I thought I’d continue in the same flow from the England series, but the conditions were totally different. I wanted another go after the nets, but I didn’t get the opportunity — and that made me even angrier,” he explained.
Sarpanch Saab’s passion for the game… 🥹🤌🏻
Watch the full heartfelt conversation between Shreyas Iyer and Sahiba Bali on our YT channel and Punjab Kings App. 📹 pic.twitter.com/t1PBDtCY6M
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 7, 2025
However, what followed was a remarkable transformation. Iyer regained composure and launched into a consistent run of form during the Champions Trophy. He chipped in with 15 in the opener against Bangladesh before registering back-to-back fifties against Pakistan and New Zealand. In the knockout stages, he played crucial hands — 45 in the semi-final versus Australia and 48 in the final — finishing as India’s leading run-scorer in the tournament.
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Carrying that form into IPL 2025, Iyer began the season on a high, blasting 97 against Gujarat Titans and following it up with a fluent 52 against Lucknow Super Giants. While he did stumble with a 10-run dismissal against Rajasthan Royals — falling to a fiery Jofra Archer — Iyer’s early season form and emotional resilience suggest a batter ready to lead both on and off the field.
