Shreyas Iyer's game against short-pitched bowling has often been scrutinized, but in 2025, the dynamic batter has turned his perceived weakness into a formidable strength. His latest innings, an unbeaten 97 off just 42 deliveries for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a testament to this transformation.

Till the end of 2024, Iyer averaged just 18.3 while playing the pull and hook shots against pacers across formats, albeit at an impressive strike rate of 158. The numbers highlighted his aggressive intent but also exposed a vulnerability that bowlers often targeted. However, in 2025, the equation has changed dramatically. Iyer now averages a staggering 88 while playing these shots, with a blistering strike rate of 226 turning what was once a risky option into a dominant scoring method, according to The CricViz Analyst.