Ahmedabad : Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash, thereby, qualifying in IPL final after 11 years. Shreyas Iyer’s 87* (41) played pivotal role in the win.
Shreyas Iyer now becomes the only captain in IPL history to guide 3 different teams to final. In 2020 he led Delhi Capitals, losing to Mumbai Indians in final. In 2024 he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to final, winning against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Now he captained Punjab Kings to final, and will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3, 2025.
PBKS opting to bowl first got early breakthrough of Rohit Sharma (8) in a gamble over of Marcus Stoinis for 19 runs.
Jonny Bairstow (38) kept the score board ticking but got out after 51 runs partnership with Tilak Varma (44). Tilak went on to smash another vital partnership of 72 runs with Surya Kumar Yadav (44).
In the end, Naman Dhir (37*) played handy cameo that brought MI to 203-6 (20).
Chasing 204, despite losing Prabhsimran Singh (6) early for 13 runs, Priyansh Arya (20) & Josh Inglis (38) took pressure off from Punjab, and both eventually got out on 72 runs in 7.5 overs.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer (87*) & Nehal Wadhera (48) took the matters in their own hands & notched up match winning 84 runs partnership. Even after Nehal and Shashank Singh’s wicket, Shreyas kept fighting from one end.
With 23 runs required off 12 Balls, Shreyas smashed young Ashwani Kumar for 4 big sixes, winning the game for PBKS with 1 over to spare. This was the highest successful chase of PBKS in IPL history, also, first time MI failed to defend 200+ target.
Shreyas’ knock of 87* (41) included 8 sixes and 5 boundaries, earning him man of the match.
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PBKS will now face RCB on June 3, 2025 in IPL 2025 final. Notably, both teams haven’t won a trophy yet.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings :
MI : 203-6 (20)
Surya Kumar Yadav : 44 (26)
PBKS :
Azmatullah Omarzai : 4-43-2
2nd Innings :
PBKS : 207-5 (19)
Shreyas Iyer : 87* (41)
MI :
Ashwani Kumar : 4-55-2
Result : Punjab Kings won by 5 Wickets.
