IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: Shreyas Iyer's Masterclass Propels Punjab Kings To IPL Final After 11 Years, Knocks Mumbai Indians Out

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Ahmedabad, June 2: Shreyas Iyer, the calm and calculating leader who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL glory in 2024, donned the cape once again - this time in Punjab Kings' red and gold.

In a pulsating Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, Iyer played a knock for the ages, scoring an unbeaten 81 off just 41 balls to script a thrilling 5-wicket win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians.

With this win, PBKS booked a spot in the IPL final for the first time in 11 years, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a clash of hopefuls yet to taste the IPL trophy. The win also meant IPL 2025 is guaranteed a new champion as all previous winners have been knocked out.

A Knock to Remember: Iyer Delivers Under Pressure

Chasing 204 against a strong Mumbai outfit known for defending big totals, PBKS looked up to their skipper, and Iyer responded with a classic captain's knock. He absorbed pressure, calculated the chase, and then unleashed carnage in the death overs. His blitz in the 19th over, which was bowled by young Ashwani Kumar, in which he hammered 26 runs to seal the game, reminded many of some of the best finishers the game has ever seen.

His assault included five boundaries and eight towering sixes, many of them against premier bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. PBKS reached 207/5 with an over to spare, chasing down the highest-ever target in IPL playoff history. This was also the ninth successful 200+ chase in IPL 2025-the most ever in a single season.

Early Drama, Middle Order Fightback

Sent in to bat after rain delayed the game by over two hours, Mumbai Indians posted a competitive 203/6, riding on strong contributions from Tilak Varma (44), Suryakumar Yadav (44), and a blistering cameo from Naman Dhir (37 off 18). SKY also created history by becoming the highest-scoring non-opener in an IPL season, crossing 700 runs.

Tilak and Surya stitched together a brilliant partnership that gave MI the momentum in the middle overs. Coming together after the fall of Bairstow, the duo counter-attacked with a flurry of strokes, adding 72 runs off just 42 balls for the third wicket.

Tilak, who launched his innings with a six off his very first ball, showed class and intent, while Surya continued his red-hot form, becoming the highest run-scorer as a non-opener in a single IPL season. Both batters scored 44 apiece and looked set to power MI to a total well beyond 220, but their twin dismissals in quick succession pegged Mumbai back just when they were starting to pull away. Still, their fearless strokeplay and calculated aggression ensured MI crossed the 100-run mark inside 10 overs and laid a solid foundation for a strong finish.

Odds Stacked Against Them, PBKS Had A Mountain To Climb In Run Chase

PBKS had a fiery start with openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya but lost both inside the powerplay. Josh Inglis then took the attack to Bumrah before falling to Hardik Pandya for 38. When Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29) joined Iyer in the middle, they stitched a crucial 84-run stand, keeping PBKS in the hunt.

Ashwani's Late Blow, Iyer's Calm Counter

Mumbai sensed an opening when Ashwani Kumar removed Wadhera in the 16th over, but Iyer stood tall. He brought up his sixth fifty of the season and continued his attack, reducing the equation to 31 off 18.

Jasprit Bumrah bowled a nervy 18th over but couldn't dislodge Iyer, who scooped a yorker for four, which was no less than the shot of the tournament. In the penultimate over, Ashwani was taken apart - three sixes, a boundary, and pure carnage from Iyer ensured the match didn't need a final-over finish.

Mumbai's Ahmedabad Curse Continues

With this loss, Mumbai Indians extended their losing streak in Ahmedabad to six games and continued their infamous record of failing to reach the final after playing the Eliminator. This was their fifth such failure in IPL history.

Despite an impressive season, MI's campaign ended in heartbreak, once again brought down by a high-pressure chase and a sensational individual effort.
Up Next: A New Champion Awaits

The IPL 2025 final, set for Tuesday (June 3), will now witness Punjab Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With both franchises seeking their maiden title, a new champion will be crowned - adding a fresh name to the IPL Hall of Fame.

But for now, the spotlight belongs to Shreyas Iyer - the man who keeps proving why he's among India's finest white-ball batters and a captain made for high-stakes games.