Key Points
- Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad, securing a place in the final against RCB.
- Captain Shreyas Iyer scored a match-winning unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, smashing 5 fours and 8 sixes.
- Iyer becomes the first captain in IPL history to lead three different franchises (Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings) into the finals.
- He joins MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya as captains who have played consecutive IPL finals, and is the first to do so with two different teams.
- Punjab Kings became the first team to successfully chase a 200+ target against Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
- PBKS will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on June 3.
New Delhi: Punjab Kings scripted a memorable victory over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, booking their ticket to the final for the first time since the league’s inception. The night belonged to captain Shreyas Iyer, whose unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls powered PBKS to a record-breaking chase and cemented his place in IPL history.
Iyer’s Masterclass Guides Punjab to the Final
Chasing a daunting target of over 200 runs set by Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings found themselves under pressure early on. Enter Shreyas Iyer at number four, who steadied the innings and then unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes. His 87* included 5 fours and a staggering 8 sixes, with Iyer expertly managing partnerships an 84-run stand with Nehal Wadhera and crucial late runs with Marcus Stoinis.
Punjab Kings reached the target in 19 overs, winning by 5 wickets and becoming the first team ever to chase down a 200+ score against Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
Captaincy Milestone: Iyer’s Unique Record
With this win, Shreyas Iyer has achieved a feat unmatched in IPL history leading three different teams to the IPL final:
- Delhi Capitals: Led them to the final in 2020 (runner-up).
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Took KKR to the final in 2024, winning the title.
- Punjab Kings: Now in the 2025 final, marking his third franchise in the summit clash.
Iyer also joins the elite club of captains MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya who have played consecutive IPL finals. Notably, Iyer is the first to do so with two different teams in back-to-back years (KKR in 2024, PBKS in 2025).
Captains with Consecutive IPL Finals Appearances:
- MS Dhoni: Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019)
- Rohit Sharma: Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020)
- Hardik Pandya: Gujarat Titans (2022, 2023)
- Shreyas Iyer: Kolkata Knight Riders (2024), Punjab Kings (2025)
Punjab Kings’ Road to the Final
Punjab Kings’ journey to the final has been historic, especially with their record chase against Mumbai. They now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2025 final, also at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In this season, PBKS and RCB have clashed three times, with Punjab winning once and RCB twice.
What’s Next?
The IPL 2025 final promises a thrilling showdown between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on June 3. With Iyer’s leadership and form, PBKS will be eyeing their maiden IPL trophy, while RCB will look to capitalize on their head-to-head advantage.
Shreyas Iyer’s sensational unbeaten 87 and record-breaking captaincy have propelled Punjab Kings into the IPL 2025 final after a dramatic win over Mumbai Indians. Iyer’s achievement of leading three different franchises to the IPL final sets a new benchmark in the league’s history, and all eyes are now on the PBKS vs RCB title clash in Ahmedabad.
