Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to take the field on Tuesday as they host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 40th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Shreyas Iyer has made yet another great start to the season that has seen his team storm to the top of the table.

Punjab head to Mullanpur in a bid to protect their unbeaten start to the campaign.

The 31-year-old recently sat down for an interview with the JioHotstar show titled ‘Believe’. During the course of the show, Iyer revealed that critics who panned him for his weakness against the short ball were his biggest motivators as the batter worked hard on his game. Constant practice has paid rich dividends as the Mumbai- based batter has improved his gameplay against the seamers in recent times.

While chatting to the broadcaster, BKS’ skipper revealed that he didn’t like people telling him he cannot overcome his weakness.

It was unacceptable for a player who is playing his trade at the highest level. It was at this moment that the star batter decided he had to grind harder and prove a point to the world.

Constant taunts turn into motivation for India’s batting star

Having scored a century on his Test debut, many believed that the batting sensation would go on to achieve massive things for the national side.

In 14 Test matches, Shreyas has managed to score 811 runs with an average of 36 and last played against England in early 2024.

Regular taunts about his problems against the short-ball also triggered the former IPL-winning captain. Negative comments drove the player to a point where he worked closely with ex-India batter Praveen Amre and also had a word with Abhishek Nayar to overcome his shortcomings. Such interactions changed his mindset from conservative to aggressive and helped him go after the fast bowlers.

Took inspiration from modern greats of the game

In the same chat with JioHotstar, the batter revealed that he now tries to play at least fifty overs to work on his batting. He named the likes of Rohit SharmaVirat Kohli, and AB de Villiers as examples for players who like to get into rhythm before they start executing their full array of shots.

Punjab’s inspirational captain also added that he doesn’t go by a fixed pattern and wants to understand what works for him.

Facing bowlers in the nets has helped his batting tremendously as it makes his foot movement better and get into the perfect rhythm ahead of facing a delivery.