Mumbai Indians (MI) had never tasted defeat in the IPL while defending a total over 200—until Punjab Kings (PBKS) shattered that record. Chasing a daunting 204, PBKS weren’t just pursuing a target; they were chasing history. The stage was set for a hero, and Shreyas Iyer stepped up with a masterful 87, guiding PBKS to a thrilling five-wicket victory. The win secured their place in the IPL 2025 final, where they’ll face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3.
After their Qualifier 1 loss to RCB, Iyer had declared, “We’ve lost the battle, not the war.” True to his words, he orchestrated Punjab’s comeback with one of the most composed and impactful innings in IPL knockout history. Iyer’s knock was a masterclass in precision and timing—featuring eight sixes and five fours—but it was his audacious boundary off a Jasprit Bumrah yorker that stole the show. Sliced late through third man, the shot was a testament to his unwavering confidence.
PBKS’s chase was anchored by Iyer’s 84-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera, who played a crucial supporting role. Together, they kept the required run rate in check, ensuring Punjab never lost control. The early onslaught on Bumrah, led by Josh Inglis, was another turning point. Inglis hammered 20 runs off Bumrah’s first over—his most expensive of the season—leaving the MI spearhead wicketless in a game where his team needed him most.
Despite losing both openers early, PBKS maintained their momentum. Inglis set the tone in the Powerplay, while Iyer and Wadhera carried the baton with finesse. It was a chase that will be etched in IPL history, propelling Punjab Kings into the final with newfound confidence.
MI’s Batting Fireworks Fall Short
After a rain delay of over two hours, the match finally got underway in Ahmedabad—luckily, without any reduction in overs. MI’s batsmen put on a collective show, with none reaching a half-century but still managing to post a formidable total of 204. Tilak Varma, promoted up the order, was the standout performer, stitching together crucial partnerships with Jonny Bairstow and Suryakumar Yadav.
Bairstow and Tilak kept the scoreboard ticking during the Powerplay, while Tilak’s alliance with Surya in the middle overs provided the backbone of MI’s innings. Surya’s entertaining duel with Yuzvendra Chahal added to the drama, with the spinner eventually claiming his wicket. The strategic timeout seemed to disrupt Tilak’s rhythm, ending his valuable contribution.
In the death overs, Naman Dhir stepped up, smartly targeting Punjab’s field placements. His calculated hitting, coupled with Punjab’s slow over rate penalty, helped MI add 57 runs in the final five overs. It seemed like a defendable total—until Shreyas Iyer had the final say, scripting a historic victory for PBKS.
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