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The IPL 2025 season reached a crescendo during Qualifier 2, as the Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer delivered one of the most electrifying performances in recent memory. AB de Villiers, the South Africa legend renowned for his own brand of dazzling strokeplay, was left in awe, singling out a single shot as the “shot of the season.”
AB de Villiers names the best shot of IPL 2025
The stage was set for a high-pressure showdown as Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya turned to Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s premier death bowler, to deliver in the crunch moments. The target was steep, and the spotlight intense. Bumrah’s first ball was a searing 140 kph yorker, aimed at the base of middle stump—a delivery that has undone many a top batter. But Iyer, displaying nerves of steel and impeccable timing, dug out the near-unplayable ball. At the very last instant, the batter opened the face of his bat and threaded it past the wicketkeeper for four. The technical brilliance and courage required to execute such a shot, especially under such pressure, left commentators, fans, and even De Villiers in awe.
“That’s the shot of the IPL for me. That’s hitting the middle-stump—the perfect yorker. That’s literally breaking the toe of the bat. You can’t get that away. That’s maybe breaking my stumps if I’m facing it. He gets a four off that and puts the pressure straight back on MI against the best bowler in the world. Just incredible batting—pure, brute force and strength. What a fantastic player!,” de Villiers exclaimed on Jio Hotstar. This single stroke not only showcased the batter’s skill but also his mental fortitude, as he turned the tide of the match in Punjab’s favour.
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De Villiers’ heartfelt admiration for the star batter
De Villiers, known for his humility and sportsmanship, did not hold back in his admiration for Iyer. “I don’t know where to start. I’m obviously a huge fan. But that innings tonight was out of this world. He deserves every bit of the praise coming his way,” de Villiers added.
He highlighted Iyer’s composure and body language, especially under the immense pressure of a do-or-die match. “Under immense pressure, knowing it was do-or-die, with the odds stacked against him—he stood tall,” he further stated.
De Villiers also praised Iyer’s calm demeanour and level-headedness, noting that his sixes were a joy to watch and that his head remained perfectly still throughout the innings. “He’s calm, not arrogant—level-headed, and I love that about him,” de Villiers concluded. Even after Punjab lost Josh Inglis at 72 for 3, Iyer did not flinch. He built a crucial 84-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera before launching a relentless assault, sealing the win with an over to spare.
With 603 runs in 16 matches at a staggering strike rate of over 175, Iyer has been the standout batter of IPL 2025. His heroics have not only earned him the adulation of fans and peers but also propelled Punjab Kings into their first IPL final in 11 years. As they prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the grand finale, all eyes will be on Iyer, the man who delivered the shot of the season and captured the heart of a cricketing legend.
