Following Mumbai Indians’ heartbreaking five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025, MI captain Hardik Pandya reflected on the game with honest admissions — praising Shreyas Iyer’s match-winning 87 off 41 balls* and acknowledging his side’s tactical shortcomings, particularly in the death overs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pandya conceded that Punjab’s chase was well-executed and singled out Iyer for his aggressive yet composed innings.
“Especially Shreyas, the way he batted, he took his chances and played really well,” Pandya said.
“It was a par score, but it really needed great execution from the bowling unit. They were really calm and put us under pressure, and we were not able to execute the way we wanted.”
Bumrah Underused at Crucial Time
The MI skipper notably acknowledged a misjudgment in using Jasprit Bumrah, particularly not deploying him in the 17th over, when Punjab were rapidly closing in on the target.
“[Should Bumrah have bowled the 17th over?] In hindsight, it would have been different, but maybe a little too early,” Pandya admitted, hinting at possible overthinking or lack of clarity in the moment.
Bumrah, known for his precision at the death, finished with figures of 0/40 in four overs, uncharacteristic for the veteran pacer, and arguably under-utilised at the pivotal juncture of Punjab’s chase.
Punjab’s Chase: Iyer Anchors a Historic Win
Punjab, chasing 204, lost early wickets but found momentum through Josh Inglis (38 off 21) and then an 84-run stand between Nehal Wadhera (48) and Iyer, who remained unbeaten till the end.
Despite late hiccups, including Shashank Singh’s run-out, Iyer steered PBKS home with a six in the 19th over, securing their first IPL final appearance since 2014.
Shreyas Iyer: A Captaincy Milestone
With this performance, Shreyas Iyer not only won Player of the Match, but also became the first captain to reach three IPL finals with three different franchises — Delhi Capitals (2020), Kolkata Knight Riders (2024), and now Punjab Kings (2025).
Mumbai’s Season Ends with Questions
MI’s total of 203/6, powered by twin knocks of 44 from Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, proved insufficient in the end. While Naman Dhir (37 off 18) provided a final boost, it was MI’s inconsistent bowling and tactical lapses that ultimately cost them.
For Hardik Pandya and Mumbai, the loss brings the curtain down on a campaign that showed promise but fell short in crunch moments — with execution and decision-making under the scanner.
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer (87* off 41, 5×4, 8×6)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets
Final Bound: PBKS reach IPL final for the first time since 2014.