Not Shreyas Iyer, R Ashwin's 'Player Of The Match' In GT vs PBKS Was Someone Else: "Was Serving Water..."

The IPL 2025 game between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings on Tuesday was a high-scoring affair. The new-look Punjab Kings scored a huge 243/5 batting first with skipper Shreyas Iyer scoring 97* off just 42 balls. Gujarat Titans fought till the end but fell short by 11 runs. Iyer was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' for his top-scoring performance. However, for Chennai Super Kings player Ravichandran Ashwin the Player of the Match was Vijaykumar Vyshak. The bowler came in as impact sub and bowled three crucial overs under pressure to check Gujarat Titans' run-flow. 

He was brought into the attack in the 15th over when GT was on 169/2 chasing a 244-run target. In his first  over, Vijaykumar gave five runs. In his second over too, he gave away only five runs. That meant GT could reach 187/2 in 17 overs. Vijaykumar's third over went for 18 runs. GT then needed 27 off six balls, and failed.  

"Shreyas Iyer's performance was really important. One man was serving water to every player on the ground and was sitting in the dugout wearing a bib. The game was in the balance, maybe Gujarat were slightly ahead. Sherfane Rutherford and Jos Buttler were batting quite well. They called Vijaykumar Vyshak out of nowhere in the 14th over and told him to bring us back in the game. PBKS were out of the game. He bowled exceedingly well in the 17th and 19th over. Of course, he didn't get a wicket, but what brilliant death bowling," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"What planning, Crystal clear thinking, great execution. He nailed the wides, yorkers, yes there a couple of full tosses. I have said 'don't be afraid of bowling full tosses' and nowadays the ball comes of beautifully off the pitch that batters get startled by full tosses. For