Ahmedabad: Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer attributed his side’s thrilling win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 to a calm, focused mindset and strong team intent, especially during high-pressure chases.
Speaking after PBKS chased down 204 with five wickets in hand and an over to spare, Iyer highlighted how mental composure and self-belief were key to performing in big games.
“I love such big occasions,” Iyer said. “I always say to myself and to my colleagues: the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, the better the results. Today was the right example where I was focusing more on my breathing than sweating out there.”
Iyer’s Captain’s Knock: Calmness Meets Calculated Aggression
Iyer, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his unbeaten 87 off 41 balls (5 fours, 8 sixes), paced his innings to perfection after PBKS lost early wickets. He absorbed pressure initially before switching gears to steer the team into their first IPL final since 2014.
A Collective Statement of Intent
Iyer praised the team’s mindset during the chase, noting that assertiveness from all players was key in chasing a steep target.
“All players need to be assertive and show intent from ball one. The intent was stupendous,” he said, adding, “Even for me, I had to take some time, but once I was set, I knew what I had to do.”
Josh Inglis’ blistering 38 off 21 and Nehal Wadhera’s vital 48 off 29 ensured the run rate never dipped, with Inglis notably taking 20 off an over from Jasprit Bumrah, while Wadhera’s 84-run stand with Iyer stabilized the innings.
Learning from Setbacks, Not Dwelling on Them
Addressing PBKS’ earlier defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — their final opponents — Iyer urged his team to flush the past and focus forward.
“After the loss against RCB, we decided not to overthink. Just throw the imagination and the hiccup in the bin. We’ve been playing amazing cricket all season.”
The Road Ahead: IPL Final Awaits
PBKS’ win over MI sealed their place in the IPL 2025 Final, where they’ll meet RCB on Tuesday in Ahmedabad. Both franchises will be seeking their first-ever IPL title, adding extra drama and historical weight to the clash.
Quick Recap:
- PBKS beat MI by 5 wickets in Qualifier 2
- Shreyas Iyer: 87* (41) | Josh Inglis: 38 (21) | Nehal Wadhera: 48 (29)
- MI: 203/6 (Tilak Varma & Suryakumar Yadav – 44 each)
- PBKS: 207/5 in 19 overs
- Final: PBKS vs RCB – May 27, Ahmedabad
PBKS fans rejoice — the dream is alive. One step from glory.