In a night that will be etched in IPL folklore, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) orchestrated a sensational victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025.
Chasing a daunting target of 204, PBKS clinched a five-wicket win, marking their return to the IPL final after 11 years and setting up a clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) .
TATA IPL 2025 – Qualifier 2
Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Date: May 31, 2025
In a fiery Qualifier 2 clash, Punjab Kings knocked out Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets and sealed their first IPL final berth since 2014. The star of the show? Shreyas Iyer – who didn’t just chase a target, he bullied it.
Mumbai’s Mighty Total: A Mirage?
Opting to bat first, MI’s innings was a rollercoaster. Despite an early setback with Rohit Sharma’s dismissal for a mere 8 runs, Jonny Bairstow and Tilak Varma steadied the ship, propelling the score to 65/1 by the end of the powerplay.
Suryakumar Yadav then took center stage, delivering a brisk 44 off 23 balls, while Tilak matched his effort with another 44. However, timely wickets by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson curtailed MI’s momentum, restricting them to 203/6 .
Match Summary Table
| Match Stats | Mumbai Indians (MI) | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
|---|---|---|
| Toss | Won, opted to bat first | — |
| Powerplay Score | 65/1 | 64/1 |
| Top Scorer | Tilak Varma (44 off 27) | Shreyas Iyer (87* off 41) |
| Total Score | 203/6 (20 overs) | 204/5 (18.4 overs) |
| Highest Partnership | Varma + SKY – 62 (5.3 overs) | Iyer + Wadhera – 85 (7.2 overs) |
| Best Bowler | Piyush Chawla – 2/29 | Kyle Jamieson – 2/31 |
| Sixes Hit | 10 | 12 |
| Turning Over | 17th (PBKS scored 26 runs) | 12th (MI scored only 4 runs) |
| Match Result | Punjab lost the toss, won the match | MI eliminated! |
PBKS’s Chase: A Masterclass in Aggression
PBKS’s response was nothing short of spectacular. Despite losing Prabhsimran Singh early, Josh Inglis launched a counter-attack, taking 20 runs off Jasprit Bumrah’s first over.
Shreyas Iyer then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, including eight towering sixes. His partnership with Nehal Wadhera, who contributed a valuable 46, was pivotal.
A particularly punishing over against Ashwani Kumar, yielding 26 runs, tilted the game decisively in PBKS’s favor .
Match-Winning Performances
| Category | Player | Performance | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Shreyas Iyer | 87* off 41 (8 sixes) | Anchored the chase masterfully |
| Best Bowler | Kyle Jamieson | 2/31 | Dismissed key MI batters |
| Most Impactful Knock | Josh Inglis | 28 off 10 balls | Changed game in 2 overs |
| Silent Assassin | Nehal Wadhera | 46 off 30 | Steady support for Iyer |
Orange and Red Cap Leaders (Post Match)
| Cap | Player | Team | Stat | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Cap | Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 653 runs | Safe for now — Iyer’s coming! |
| Red Cap | Jasprit Bumrah | MI | 24 wickets | Ended season on a low, hit hard today |
Shreyas Iyer: The Captain Marvel
Iyer’s leadership was instrumental in this victory. His strategic acumen, exemplified by the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma, drew praise from cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar .
Notably, Iyer has now led three different franchises—Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and PBKS—to IPL finals, underscoring his exceptional captaincy credentials .
Preity Zinta’s Viral Moment
While the players battled on the field, PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta captured hearts off it.
Her jubilant wink, following the team’s triumph, went viral, symbolizing the joy and relief of PBKS fans worldwide .
A Final for the Ages
With both PBKS and RCB seeking their maiden IPL title, the upcoming final promises to be a historic encounter. For PBKS, this journey has been a testament to resilience and strategic overhaul.
Under Iyer’s captaincy and with a rejuvenated squad, they’ve transformed from perennial underachievers to title contenders .
Turning Points of the Match
| Moment | Why It Flipped the Game |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma’s early wicket (5th over) | Broke MI’s top-order momentum |
| Iyer-Wadhera partnership | Nullified MI’s strong bowling phase |
| 17th Over – 26 runs | Ashwin Kumar got Inglis-ed! |
| Bumrah’s expensive 18th over | MI lost hope, Punjab danced ahead |
The IPL 2025 Final!
It’s set: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Both teams chasing their first ever IPL trophy. It’s Kohli vs Iyer, red vs red, heartbreak vs hope.
| Final Match Details |
|---|
| Date: June 2, 2025 |
| Venue: Ahmedabad |
| Clash: PBKS vs RCB |
| Tagline: “One Cup. Two Hungry Kings.” |
“MI checked out, PBKS cashed in!”
Punjab Kings didn’t just win — they made a statement. No KL Rahul, no Chris Gayle, no big franchise glitz. Just grit, strategy, and a serious Iyer-led beatdown. Mumbai may have the legacy, but this match belonged to the underdog rebels.
As we gear up for a blockbuster final, the question is:
Will Punjab finally lift their maiden trophy, or will Kohli rewrite history for RCB?