Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings into IPL Final with Superb Chase against Mumbai Indians
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have secured their place in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) final after a compelling five-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad on Sunday, June 1st. A masterful unbeaten innings from Captain Shreyas Iyer guided Punjab in their successful pursuit of Mumbai's challenging total of 204, setting up a summit clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and a new IPL champion will be crowned this season.
Captain Shreyas Iyer Superb Run Chase
Chasing 204 for victory, Punjab Kings were anchored by a remarkable performance from their captain, Shreyas Iyer, who finished with a match-winning 87 not out. Iyer displayed exceptional composure and skill, particularly under pressure, notably hitting a boundary off a Jasprit Bumrah yorker and launching three sixes in a single over against Reece Topley. He arrived at the crease in the powerplay and controlled the chase adeptly, even as the required rate climbed. Crucial support came from Nehal Wadhera, who contributed a vital 48 off 39 balls, sharing a significant partnership with Iyer. Earlier, Josh Inglis provided some impetus before falling. Punjab reached their target of 204 (finishing on 207 for 5) with deliveries to spare.
Mumbai Indians Set Challenging Target
Earlier, Mumbai Indians posted 203 for 6 after being asked to bat first. Their innings saw strong contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (44 off 26 balls), who during his knock set a new record for the highest run aggregate (717) by a non-opener in any T20 tournament, and Tilak Varma (44 off 29 balls). After an initial burst from Jonny Bairstow, these two batsmen maintained the scoring rate through the middle overs. Naman Dhir provided a late surge with an aggressive 37 off 18 balls. However, Punjab Kings' bowlers managed to pull things back effectively at various stages. Kyle Jamieson used pace-off deliveries, and key wickets of Suryakumar and Tilak in the 14th and 15th overs helped restrict MI from achieving an even larger total.
Punjab Advance to Final
This victory is highly significant for Punjab Kings, propelling them into the IPL final. For Mumbai Indians, this defeat marks the first time in their IPL history that they have failed to defend a total exceeding 200 runs. The outcome ensures that IPL 2025 will see a first-time champion, as both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are vying for their maiden title.
Punjab Kings delivered a stellar performance in a high-pressure Qualifier 2, largely thanks to Shreyas Iyer's exceptional captain's innings and crucial supporting knocks. Their ability to chase down a significant total against a formidable Mumbai Indians side underscores their credentials as they prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 final.
