Why Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni are facing criticism after Shreyas Iyer's selfless act in IPL 2025

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Skipper Shreyas Iyer of Punjab Kings opted for team success over personal milestones in an IPL match, contrasting with past incidents involving Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Iyer, close to a hundred, encouraged his partner to keep hitting. This act has reignited discussions on individual achievements versus team-first mentality, sparking comparisons with Kohli and Dhoni’s previous actions.

NEW DELHI: Skipper Shreyas Iyer’s selfless approach during Punjab Kings’ IPL 2025 season opener has sparked a heated debate, drawing comparisons to past instances involving Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

While Iyer sacrificed a personal milestone for the team’s success, old clips of Kohli and Dhoni prioritising their individual scores have resurfaced, putting them under scrutiny.

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Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer played an unbeaten knock of 97 off just 42 balls, guiding his team to a massive 243/5 against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.

In the final over, his partner Shashank Singh went on a boundary-hitting spree, scoring 44 not out off 16 balls.

Despite being on the brink of his maiden IPL century, Iyer didn’t ask for the strike and instead encouraged Shashank to continue attacking.

“Iyer told me, ‘Shashank, don’t worry about my hundred, just keep hitting,'” the batter revealed after Punjab’s innings.

His selfless attitude has since been praised by fans and experts alike, reinforcing the belief that team success outweighs individual achievements.

In contrast, two old instances involving RCB’s Virat Kohli and CSK’s MS Dhoni have resurfaced, painting them in a less flattering light.

In an old IPL game, Kohli was batting on 96 in the 19th over. His partner, Marcus Stoinis, attempted a two but was sent back by Kohli, who managed only a single.

This decision raised eyebrows, as many believed he was more focused on reaching his hundred than maximizing runs for the team.

In another incident, Dhoni was on 49 against Delhi Capitals.

A Trent Boult bouncer led to a misjudged single, where Ambati Rayudu was run out while Dhoni remained at the crease.

Iyer’s decision to forgo his century contrasts sharply with Kohli and Dhoni’s past actions, leading to fresh discussions about individual milestones versus team-first mentality.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and IPL live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

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