Ravichandran Ashwin: The Indian Premier League (IPL) never fails to deliver unexpected moments, both on and off the field. In a recent turn of events, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a surprising claim regarding Shreyas Iyer’s near-century and its potential impact on another match entirely. According to Ashwin, had Iyer reached his 100 in his last game, Punjab Kings (PBKS) would have ended up losing their match against Gujarat Titans (GT).
The statement has left cricket fans intrigued and debating Ashwin’s perspective. How could a century in one match influence the outcome of another? Let’s break it down.
The Context: Shreyas Iyer’s 97 and Punjab’s Crucial Victory*
In a recent IPL 2025 fixture, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer played a sensational knock of 97*, guiding his team to a comfortable victory. His innings was a perfect blend of controlled aggression, tactical placement, and sheer class, making him a key performer for KKR. However, Iyer fell just short of what would have been a well-deserved century.
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On the same day, Punjab Kings were involved in a high-stakes clash against Gujarat Titans. The match was a thriller, with PBKS managing to pull off a crucial victory in the final over. For Punjab, this win was essential to keep their playoff hopes alive.
While most people saw these as two separate matches with no direct correlation, Ashwin saw things differently.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Bold Take: The Butterfly Effect of Iyer’s Century
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin made the unexpected remark that had Iyer completed his century, Punjab Kings would have lost to Gujarat Titans. His reasoning? The concept of momentum and psychological impact across teams in a tournament like the IPL.
According to Ashwin, cricket is a sport where players feed off the energy and performances of others. He suggested that a century from Iyer would have sent ripples across the tournament, potentially altering the mindset and approach of players in other teams, including Punjab Kings.
“In T20 cricket, every game is interconnected in some way. If Shreyas had got his hundred, the energy of the day would have shifted. Punjab’s batters might have approached their chase differently, or Gujarat’s bowlers could have found an extra burst of confidence seeing a top batter convert a big score elsewhere,” Ashwin explained.
While his theory might sound unusual, it does raise an interesting question—how much does the overall energy of a tournament influence individual matches?
The Role of Momentum in IPL
Momentum is often regarded as one of the most crucial yet intangible aspects of T20 cricket. When a team or a player is in good form, that confidence can be infectious, spreading to teammates and even influencing how opposition players react.
For example, we have seen how one dominant performance can inspire other players to step up their game. Similarly, a dramatic loss or a missed milestone can have a deflating effect. Ashwin’s statement indirectly suggests that had Iyer reached his century, it might have created a domino effect, shifting confidence and decision-making patterns across teams. Shreyas Iyer
Do Cricketers Believe in Such Theories?
While most players focus on their own performance, some, like Ashwin, take a broader view of the game. Ashwin is known for his analytical approach, often delving into the deeper psychological aspects of cricket.
However, not all players or analysts would agree with his assessment. Many would argue that each match is independent, and players focus only on their own game rather than being affected by what happens elsewhere. That being said, cricket is an unpredictable sport, and Ashwin’s theory adds an intriguing layer to how players perceive momentum and psychology.
Final Thoughts: Was Ashwin Right?
While Ashwin’s claim may seem far-fetched, it highlights an often-overlooked aspect of cricket—how small moments can have unintended consequences. Whether or not Iyer’s hundred would have truly influenced Punjab Kings’ game against Gujarat Titans is up for debate. But in a tournament as unpredictable as the IPL, anything is possible. Shreyas Iyer
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One thing is certain: Ashwin has once again managed to spark an interesting conversation in the cricketing world. Whether you agree with his theory or not, it adds another dimension to how we view momentum, psychology, and the intricate connections between matches in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL.
As the league progresses, fans will be keen to see if such patterns emerge again. And who knows? Maybe the next time a player falls just short of a century, someone will look back at Ashwin’s words and wonder if it changed the fate of another team altogether.
