In a high-octane clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1, 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) delivered a stunning performance to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Chasing a formidable target of 204, PBKS, under the astute leadership of Shreyas Iyer, showcased a masterclass in batting, reaching 207/5 with six balls to spare.
This victory propelled PBKS into their first IPL final since 2014, setting up a blockbuster showdown against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on June 3, 2025. Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, including a memorable boundary off Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker, was the defining moment of the match, highlighting his skill and captaincy prowess.
The match, delayed by over two hours due to rain, tested the resilience of both teams. MI, batting first, posted a competitive 203/6, driven by brisk contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and a late flourish by Naman Dhir. However, PBKS’s sensational batting, led by Iyer’s iconic knock, overshadowed MI’s efforts, ensuring their place in the final and reigniting hopes of lifting the IPL trophy after a decade-long wait.
Mumbai Indians High-Scoring Innings
Mumbai Indians, bat first, faced an early setback when captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just 8 runs in the third over. Despite this, Johnny Bairstow and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings, guiding MI to a solid 65/1 at the end of the powerplay. Bairstow, looking in fine touch, fell for 38 off 24 balls while attempting an ambitious scoop shot, leaving MI at a precarious juncture.
Suryakumar Yadav took charge, anchoring the innings with a fluent 44 off 26 balls, including four fours and three sixes. His partnership with Tilak Varma, who also scored 44 off 29 balls with two fours and two sixes, added a crucial 50 runs for the third wicket, providing momentum in the middle overs. By the 14th over, MI were well-placed at 142/3, poised for a big total. However, quick wickets, including those of Yadav and Varma, slowed their progress momentarily.
The late surge came from Naman Dhir, who unleashed a blistering 37 off 18 balls, smashing seven fours. His aggressive batting, particularly in the 19th over against Arshdeep Singh, who faced an over-rate penalty, pushed MI past the 200-mark. Despite losing wickets in the death overs, MI finished at 203/6, setting a challenging target for PBKS. The innings was a blend of cautious rebuilding and explosive hitting, showcasing MI’s batting depth but also exposing their reliance on key performers.
Punjab Kings Bowling Effort
PBKS’s bowling unit, tasked with restricting MI’s formidable batting lineup, showed resilience but struggled in the death overs. Azmatullah Omarzai led the attack with figures of 2/43 in four overs, dismissing key batsmen like Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir to disrupt MI’s momentum. Marcus Stoinis was economical, conceding just 14 runs in his solitary over while picking up a wicket. Vyshak Vijaykumar (1/30 in three overs), Kyle Jamieson (1/30 in four overs), and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/39 in four overs) each contributed a wicket, ensuring MI didn’t run away with the game.
However, the death overs proved challenging for PBKS, with Naman Dhir capitalizing on loose deliveries, particularly in the 19th over. Arshdeep Singh, under pressure due to an over-rate penalty, was targeted by Dhir, which inflated MI’s total. Despite these challenges, PBKS’s bowlers managed to keep MI’s scoring rate in check during the middle overs, setting up a chase that, while daunting, was within reach for their explosive batting lineup.
Punjab Kings Sensational Chase
PBKS’s chase began with fireworks, as Josh Inglis took on MI’s premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, smashing 20 runs off his first over, including three fours and a six. This aggressive start set the tone, signaling PBKS’s intent to dominate the chase. Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya provided a solid foundation, but MI fought back, reducing PBKS to 55/2 after the powerplay with the dismissals of the openers.
The turning point came with the 84-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera. Wadhera played a supporting role, scoring a fluent 48 off 29 balls before falling to Ashwani Kumar. However, it was Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls that stole the show. His innings, laced with eight sixes and five fours, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Iyer’s ability to pick lengths early and dispatch both pace and spin to all parts of the ground kept PBKS ahead of the required rate.
A defining moment came when Iyer faced Bumrah’s toe-crushing yorker in the latter stages of the chase. With the game in the balance, Iyer, showcasing remarkable composure, opened the face of his bat to guide the ball fine for a boundary, a shot that left the MI camp stunned and the PBKS dugout erupting in cheers. This moment encapsulated Iyer’s skill and leadership, proving why he is regarded as one of the finest captains in the IPL. Supported by cameos from Inglis (38 off 21) and Priyansh Arya (20), PBKS chased down 204, finishing at 207/5 in 19 overs.
Mumbai Indians Bowling Struggles
MI’s bowling unit, despite featuring Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s best T20 bowlers, struggled to contain PBKS’s rampant batting. Bumrah had an off day, conceding 40 runs in four overs without a wicket, including the expensive first over to Inglis. Ashwani Kumar was the standout bowler for MI, picking up 2/55, including the wickets of Wadhera and Arya, but his high economy rate reflected the pressure exerted by PBKS’s batsmen.
Hardik Pandya (1/19 in two overs) and Trent Boult (1/38 in four overs) provided some resistance, with Pandya effecting a brilliant runout of Shashank Singh after a strategic timeout. However, MI’s bowling lacked the consistency needed to defend 203. The absence of a reliable second pacer to support Bumrah was evident, as PBKS’s batsmen, particularly Iyer, exploited the loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Looking Ahead: Punjab Kings Final Quest
This victory marks a significant milestone for Punjab Kings, who have reached their first IPL final since 2014, when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. Over the past decade, PBKS have often flattered to deceive, finishing strongly in the league stages but faltering in the playoffs. This season, under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, they have been one of the most consistent teams, finishing second in the league stage and now proving their mettle in the knockout rounds.
As PBKS prepare to face RCB in the final on June 4, 2025, they will draw immense confidence from this performance. Iyer’s form, both as a batsman and captain, will be crucial, while the likes of Inglis, Wadhera, and their bowling unit, led by Omarzai, provide a balanced squad. A win would make PBKS only the second team to claim a second IPL title and the first new champion since SunRisers Hyderabad in 2016, adding to the significance of their campaign.
Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 will be etched in memory for Shreyas Iyer’s heroic innings and Punjab Kings’ clinical chase. Iyer’s boundary off Bumrah’s yorker was a moment of brilliance, encapsulating his leadership and skill. MI, despite a strong season, were outplayed by a determined PBKS side, exposing their bowling vulnerabilities. As PBKS head into the final against RCB, they carry the hopes of their fans, eager to end an 11-year wait for IPL glory and cement their legacy in the tournament’s history.
Also Read:Â MI vs PBKS: Shreyas Iyer’s Stellar 87 Unbeaten Leads PBKS To First IPL Final In 11 Years