In a stunning display of leadership and resilience, Shreyas Iyer guided the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to their first Indian Premier League (IPL) final in over a decade, delivering a commanding performance to secure a five-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the second qualifier of IPL 2025.
The highly anticipated clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium was delayed by rain, but fans were treated to an unforgettable match once play resumed. Mumbai Indians posted a daunting total of over 200 runs, bolstered by strong innings from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Naman Dhir. Yet, despite the pressure of chasing a mammoth target, the Punjab Kings remained composed.
Leading from the front, Captain Shreyas Iyer produced one of the finest knocks in IPL playoff history. His unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls powered PBKS to successfully chase down the target—marking the first-ever successful chase of 200+ runs against Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
With this performance, Shreyas Iyer etched his name in the record books as the first captain to lead three different franchises to an IPL final, a rare feat that reflects both his leadership acumen and cricketing prowess.
The match hinged on a few crucial overs that swung momentum decisively in Punjab’s favor. A pivotal 20-run over off Jasprit Bumrah during the PowerPlay, followed by two impactful overs off Reece Topley and Trent Boult, which yielded a combined 33 runs, allowed PBKS to recalibrate their chase and build towards a confident finish.
This victory propels the Punjab Kings to only their second IPL final, their last appearance coming in 2014. The team will now face the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the championship clash—an eagerly awaited rematch of the first qualifier.
Speaking after the match, Iyer expressed his pride in the team’s performance. “We’ve worked incredibly hard to get here. I’m proud of how the boys responded under pressure. The belief in the dressing room never wavered, and today, we proved what this team is capable of.”
The IPL 2025 final between PBKS and RCB will take place on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where one of these teams will lift the coveted trophy for the first time in their history.