Ahmedabad: Shreyas Iyer delivered a captain’s masterclass, crafting an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls to steer Punjab Kings (PBKS) into their first Indian Premier League final in 11 years, as they defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Chasing 204 against the five-time champions, Iyer remained calm under pressure and anchored the innings with authority, timing, and leadership, guiding Punjab to victory with an over to spare. His knock, laced with 5 fours and 8 sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award and cemented his legacy as one of the tournament’s finest chasers.
Wadhera’s Crucial Knock and Key Partnership
While Iyer held one end, Nehal Wadhera stepped up with a composed 48 off 29 balls, playing a pivotal role in the middle overs. His innings featured 4 boundaries and 2 sixes, and most importantly, he stitched together a match-defining 84-run stand with his captain.
“I just wait for such games,” Wadhera said post-match. “This will be close to my heart.”
The former MI player admitted that his experience with Mumbai’s setup helped shape his approach.
“I’ve been with MI for two years. I knew what they could try, and I changed a few things in my batting accordingly.”
Praise for Captain Iyer
Wadhera also heaped praise on Iyer’s clarity and calmness during the high-pressure chase.
“He (Shreyas) is a chase master. A lot of learnings from him and I hope we carry this momentum into the final.”
By the time Wadhera was dismissed by Ashwani Kumar, PBKS had already crossed the 150-run mark, leaving Iyer to close out the chase in emphatic fashion with a towering six.
PBKS Return to the Final Stage
This victory sent PBKS into only their second IPL final, their first since 2014, breaking an 11-year drought. It marks a remarkable turnaround for the franchise under Iyer’s leadership, which has combined tactical clarity with individual brilliance this season.
Final Showdown Awaits
Punjab Kings will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 Final on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, with a shot at winning their maiden IPL title. RCB, too, are hunting for their first trophy, making this a historic final for both sides.
Quick Summary:
- Result: PBKS beat MI by 5 wickets (Qualifier 2)
- Top Performers: Shreyas Iyer (87* off 41), Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29)
- Chase Target: 204 | PBKS: 207/5 in 19 overs
- Final: PBKS vs RCB – May 27, Ahmedabad
Stay tuned for what promises to be a high-voltage IPL 2025 final!