Ahmedabad witnessed a thrilling Qualifier 2 showdown as Punjab Kings edged past Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets to book their ticket to the IPL 2025 Final.
The match, held at Narendra Modi Stadium, was a high-stakes encounter that saw Punjab successfully chase down a daunting target of 204.
Mumbai Indians, electing to bat first, posted a competitive 203/6 in 20 overs. Tilak Varma (44), Suryakumar Yadav (44), and Naman Dhir (37 off 18) provided the fireworks, ensuring their side had a challenging total to defend.
However, Punjab Kings rose to the occasion, with skipper Shreyas Iyer playing a sensational match-winning knock of 87* off 41 balls. His calculated aggression, peppered with five fours and eight sixes, kept Punjab in the chase. Contributions from Josh Inglis (38) and Nehal Wadhera (48) built the foundation before Iyer took over in the death overs, finishing the game with a towering six in the 19th over.
Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, attempted to contain Punjab’s firepower but struggled with execution in crucial moments. Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya admitted post-match that strategic decisions, including bowling Bumrah earlier than expected, may have cost them the match.
With this emphatic victory, Punjab Kings will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2025 final on June 3rd, setting the stage for a blockbuster finale between two teams seeking their maiden IPL title.
