‘He continues to evolve…’: New Zealand great showers praise on Shreyas Iyer following PBKS debut

India middle-order batter and Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer continues to “evolve his game” while “adjusting brilliantly” to challenges such as facing short balls, believes New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson.

Iyer began his captaincy stint for PBKS with a match-winning 97 not out, studded with nine sixes and five fours off 42 balls, against Gujarat Titans in their IPL clash here on Tuesday.

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Williamson, a former Gujarat Titans player, heaped praise on the right-handed Iyer for his adaptability.

“What stands out about Shreyas is how he continues to evolve his game. For a period, teams targeted him with short balls, but now, he’s adjusting brilliantly — getting deeper in his crease, de-weighting his front leg, and dominating the short-pitched deliveries,” Williamson said.

“What is most impressive is his ability to shift his weight forward again, making it difficult for bowlers who try the ‘one-two’ approach – going short, then full. He’s now able to access all areas of the ground, which makes him such a formidable batter,” Williamson added.

The New Zealand batting great termed Iyer’s knock of 97 not out of “highest standard”.

“It was a knock of the highest standard. From the very first ball, it was almost a highlight reel—he played the ball exactly where it was meant to be hit. Anything outside off stump, he looked to access the offside, and he even struck sixes over cover against some of the best seamers in the world. Then, to take on Rashid Khan as well – that’s one of the toughest challenges in the game,” Williamson said.

“As a leader, to step in at No 3, set the tone, and take on the opposition’s biggest threats was remarkable. That innings was truly out of this world,” Williamson added.