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Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings to First IPL Final in 11 Years with Historic Win Over Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings stun five-time champions Mumbai Indians in high-stakes IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash
Punjab Kings (PBKS) made history in the 2025 Indian Premier League as Shreyas Iyer delivered a captain’s knock to guide his team to a five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad. The dramatic encounter, delayed by rain, ended with Punjab chasing down a mammoth target of 204 – marking the first-ever successful 200-plus chase against Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
This electrifying win has set up a blockbuster IPL final where Punjab will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), with both franchises vying for their maiden title.
Rain Delayed Start, But Fireworks Follow
The game was briefly disrupted due to rain, but once action resumed, it turned into a run-fest. Batting first, Mumbai posted a formidable 203/6 on the board, courtesy of brisk contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Naman Dhir. Punjab’s bowlers, despite showing promise in patches, struggled to maintain control during the middle and death overs.
However, Punjab turned the tide with a composed yet aggressive chase led by their skipper Shreyas Iyer. His undefeated 87 off just 41 deliveries included six towering sixes and five boundaries – a knock that cemented his place in IPL history as the first captain to guide three different franchises to an IPL final.
Mumbai Indians Innings: Strong Start, Missed Finish
PowerPlay: Bairstow anchors with aggression
Mumbai began cautiously, but Jonny Bairstow soon switched gears with a six off Kyle Jamieson. Despite the early loss of Rohit Sharma, Bairstow ensured the PowerPlay ended on a high at 65/1.
Middle Overs: Suryakumar and Tilak Take Control
MI’s middle phase was built on a solid 81-run effort led by Suryakumar Yadav, who crossed 700 runs for the season – a rare IPL feat. Tilak Varma complemented him well, targeting pace and spin alike. But quick wickets in the 14th and 15th overs slowed the momentum.
Death Overs: Dhir’s cameo pushes MI beyond 200
MI managed 57 runs in the final five overs despite not hitting a single six. Naman Dhir’s 37 off 18 balls proved crucial in pushing the score past the 200-mark. However, disciplined bowling from Arshdeep and Vyshak in the death overs limited the late onslaught.
Punjab Kings Innings: Shreyas Iyer Leads a Calculated Assault
PowerPlay: Inglis explodes against Bumrah
PBKS got a flying start with Josh Inglis smashing 20 runs off Jasprit Bumrah in a single over. Even though Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya departed early, Punjab reached 64/2 after six overs, keeping the chase alive.
Middle Overs: Iyer and Wadhera shift momentum
Shreyas Iyer found a dependable partner in Nehal Wadhera, and the duo forged a crucial 83-run partnership. Iyer took down Reece Topley with three consecutive sixes, while Wadhera cashed in on a couple of slices of luck – a dropped catch and an edge that raced for four.
By the 16th over, Punjab had maneuvered themselves into a dominant position without needing to overextend against Bumrah’s remaining overs – a strategic masterstroke.
Death Overs: Captain Iyer finishes with a flourish
Despite the loss of Wadhera and a run-out that threatened to derail the chase, Shreyas remained unfazed. He timed his attack perfectly, hammering four sixes in the 19th over to seal a memorable win for Punjab with an over to spare.
A Historic Final Beckons: PBKS vs RCB
After defeating one of the most successful teams in IPL history, Punjab Kings have earned a place in their first final since 2014. With RCB also seeking their maiden title, the IPL 2025 final promises to be a historic encounter between two hungry and determined franchises.
📌 Related Read: Punjab Kings’ full IPL 2025 season journey and match-by-match performance breakdown
🔗 Read more on: Indian Premier League official site
Match Summary
Mumbai Indians: 203/6 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 44, Suryakumar Yadav 44, Naman Dhir 37; Omarzai 2-43)
Punjab Kings: 207/5 in 19 overs (Shreyas Iyer 87*, Nehal Wadhera 48; Hardik Pandya 1-19)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets
