Tom Moody, a former all-rounder for Australia, told Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer to keep his pride "in his pocket" after the right-handed batsman lost his wicket to Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. The hosts were bundled out for 101 in 14.1 overs, leaving RCB with a paltry target that they chased down easily to advance to the final, which will take place on June 3 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also criticised Shreyas' dismissal on commentary. In addition, Ricky Ponting, the head coach of the Punjab Kings, also was spotted chatting animatedly with Shreyas in the dressing room following his dismissal.
Shreyas tried to play a hoick on the legside against Hazlewood but was beaten by the extra bounce. This led to an outside edge, which was comfortably collected by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. The PBKS skipper was dismissed on 2(3), leaving Punjab reeling at 30/3 even before the fourth over was completed.
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“At times, you need to put your ego in your pocket and just move forward. To me that was the perfect example of not reading the situation – trying to overcome something that has been a darkness in the past,” said Moody on ESPNCricinfo ‘Timeout’. “You only had to see Hazlewood out. It was a simple thing – see him out and look to dissect the rest of their attack,” he added.
Additionally, Moody stated that Shreyas misread the game and ought to have performed better given his poor record against the Australian pacer in the game's shortest format.
Hazlewood has an impressive record against Shreyas in T20s, and this was the fourth time the Indian got out against the Aussie. He averages only 2.75 against the Australian pacer. “The first ball he played and missed – the perfect line that you’d expect Hazlewood to bowl. He sort of played at it, but didn’t really want to play at it. And then, that third ball he got out,” said Moody. “To me, he totally misread the game situation and his own situation. Yes, he would be aware that Hazlewood has had him a few times in the past. He would know the exact numbers,” he added.
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Shreyas has amassed 516 runs at an average of 46.91 and a strike rate of 170.86 in the 2025 IPL.
Meanwhile, Punjab will now take on the winner of the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians game in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on June 1.
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