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Ayushi Singh

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Iyer's unbeaten 87 off 41 led PBKS to the historical win over MI

PBKS crush MI to set the date with RCB in the IPL 2025 Final

Iyer's unbeaten 87 off 41 led PBKS to the historical win over MI (Photo - IPL/X)

When the fixture was delayed and pushed into the late hours, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians ensured a thrill that would keep the audience wide awake. The IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 started with rain threatening its course in Ahmedabad. It was after over a couple of hours from the scheduled start that the clouds finally made way for the contest to kickstart. While it was a torturous wait, thankfully, no overs were reduced in the high-stakes encounter. Ahead of the match, Mumbai Indians were etched as the favorites, just for their sheer experience in the playoffs. However, it was a revitalized PBKS at fore, a unit that came to Ahmedabad after learning thoroughly from their crushing defeat in Qualifier 1. It all came in handy this time, as PBKS held the nerve to win the clash against MI by 5 wickets.

Shreyas Iyer leads the charge as Punjab Kings storm into the IPL 2025 Final

Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma stitched a 72-run stand to bring MI in the lead in the first innings of Qualifier 2

Standing under overcast conditions, Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians. Only the toss could be completed timely, as a slight drizzle, which subsequently turned into a heavy downpour, stalled the start of the tussle. Despite the rain-marred conditions, the first innings proved fairly balanced. PBKS managed to get Rohit Sharma early as Marcus Stoinis trapped the opener in the third over. But Jonny Bairstow delivered counter-punches, punishing Arshdeep Singh and Azmatullah Omarzai. However, just out of the powerplay, Vijaykumar Vyshak brought the breakthrough, dismissing Bairstow at 38 off 24.

From there, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma stood tall for the third-wicket stand, putting Punjab Kings under pressure. However, Punjab finally found their feet in the tussle with two back-to-back wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal closed off his spell after dismissing SKY in his last over, as MI's star of the season departed at 44 off 26 in the 14th over. Right at the start of the next over, Kyle Jamieson claimed SKY's partner, as Tilak Varma also departed at 44.

Punjab finally found the chance to restrict MI below the 200-run mark. However, Naman Dhir stepped up yet again. Arshdeep Singh was grilled by Dhir in the penultimate over for 13 runs. However, Azmatullah Omarzai kept the last over eerily silent as the finisher misjudged a shot, putting it right into the hands of Stoinis at extra cover. Collecting many extras time and again, MI put up 203 on the board, calling Punjab Kings into the chase of the do-or-die match. 

Josh Inglis grilled Jasprit Bumrah for 20 runs in an over, setting the tempo for a thrilling chase

The PBKS openers stepped carefully in the chase, testing the field against Trent Boult in the opening over. While Prabhsimran found a four in the first over, Boult returned in the third to remove the opener swiftly. However, MI could not bank on the early breakthrough, as Josh Inglis took the main man role to put Mumbai in a puddle. The Australian batter sent Jasprit Bumrah for 20 runs, grilling the lethal seamer: 4, 0, 6, 0, 4, 6. Inglis's charge promised a complete domination for PBKS in the chase. However, Priyansh Arya threw his wicket off a reckless shot right in the next over against Ashwani Kumar.

Iyer's unbeaten 87 off 41 made the difference as PBKS clinched the victory in Ahmedabad

In came the captain, Shreyas Iyer, a wiser leader following the disappointment in the Qualifier 1 against RCB. Iyer respected Jasprit Bumrah, knowing that patience bore the key to victory here. Josh Inglis, however, fell to a fine edge of his bat. Nehal Wadhera arrived and stabilised the innings with his skipper. The duo sailed the chase patiently, staying calm against Bumrah but taking on Boult and Pandya. Iyer thrashed Reece Topley for three consecutive sixes in the 13th over before Wadhera took on Boult in the next over to bring down the asking run rate.

A breakthrough finally arrived when Ashwani Kumar lured Wadhera into hitting it over extra cover where Santner took a safe catch. Wadhera departed at 48 off 29. The ask was still 41 runs off the last four overs. MI found an in-road as Boult dismissed Shashank Singh before the finisher could mark an impact. Iyer still stood tall, leading from the front in the crucial match. It seemed like Hardik Pandya missed a trick with his bowling rotation in the crucial juncture of the match.

Jasprit Bumrah was handed the ball to bowl the 18th over. The seasoned pacer leaked 8 runs in the over. While it was a tight one, Bumrah was far from his lethal best against PBKS in Qualifier 2, going wicketless and conceding 40 runs in his spell. This, along with Iyer's half-century in the chase, marked the difference in the high-stakes clash. In the last two overs, PBKS needed just 23 runs as Ashwani returned to bowl the penultimate over. The Punjab captain ceased the fight then and there, thrashing the youngster for four sixes to take the game home. Now, with RCB awaiting PBKS, the IPL 2025 Final is etched as a battle for maiden glory.

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