MI vs PBKS IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: Punjab Kings Triumph by 5 Wickets in Ahmedabad

On June 1, 2025, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a gripping IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). In a high-stakes battle for a spot in the final, PBKS chased down MI’s formidable 203 for 6, securing a thrilling 5-wicket victory with an over to spare. Led by captain Shreyas Iyer’s sensational unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, PBKS etched their name in history as the first team to successfully chase a 200-plus total against the five-time champions in IPL playoffs. This victory propelled PBKS to their second IPL final, setting up a blockbuster clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3, 2025.

Mumbai Indians, under Hardik Pandya’s leadership, had a rollercoaster IPL 2025 season. Starting poorly with just one win in their first five games, MI found their rhythm mid-season, storming into the playoffs with a blend of experience and aggression. In the Eliminator, MI toppled Gujarat Titans, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 off 50 and a disciplined bowling effort. Finishing fourth in the league stage with 4 wins, 10 losses, and a 28.57% win rate in 14 matches, MI relied on their battle-hardened internationals—Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah—to carry them forward. Their batting firepower and Bumrah’s mastery gave them confidence, but a 0-4 record against the top three teams hinted at vulnerabilities.

Punjab Kings, guided by Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, transformed into a formidable unit in IPL 2025. Securing a top-two finish with 5 wins and 9 losses in 14 matches (35.71% win rate), PBKS showcased explosive batting, posting 200-plus totals in seven of 15 innings. Despite a crushing eight-wicket loss to RCB in Qualifier 1, where they collapsed to 101, PBKS bounced back with resilience. Key wins, including a 7-wicket triumph over MI in Jaipur on May 26, 2025, highlighted their chasing prowess. The dynamic opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, backed by Iyer and a versatile attack led by Arshdeep Singh, made PBKS a force to reckon with.

The Narendra Modi Stadium, known for its batting-friendly red-soil pitch, set the stage for a high-scoring encounter. Six of seven games in Ahmedabad during IPL 2025 were won by teams batting first, with an average first-innings score of around 219. Rain delayed the start by over two hours, but clear skies prevailed by 9:45 PM IST, ensuring a full 20-over game. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl, citing overcast conditions and a pitch that had been under covers. MI, led by Hardik Pandya, would have preferred to bowl first too, but aimed to post a daunting total on a surface that appeared flatter than expected.

The red-soil pitch, with minimal grass, favored batters, offering consistent bounce and short boundaries (61 and 67 meters square, 73 meters straight). Mild drizzle during PBKS’s training the previous day raised concerns, but conditions on match day—30-33°C, 60% humidity, and no rain—promised a thrilling contest. Bowlers needed precision, with pace-off deliveries and accurate yorkers key to curbing the run flow.

Mumbai Indians’ Innings: 203/6 in 20 Overs

MI’s innings began cautiously after PBKS elected to field. Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow opened, but Marcus Stoinis struck early, dismissing Rohit for 8 off 7 balls in the third over, caught at deep square leg off a mistimed pull. Bairstow (38 off 24) and Tilak Varma (44 off 29) fought back, stitching a 72-run stand, with Bairstow smashing two fours off Arshdeep Singh in the fourth over. Vyshak Vijaykumar broke the partnership, removing Bairstow in the seventh over, caught by Shreyas Iyer outside the circle.

Suryakumar Yadav, in scintillating form, hammered 44 off 26, including three sixes off Yuzvendra Chahal, who struggled at 1 for 33. Tilak fell to Kyle Jamieson for 44, caught at deep midwicket, as PBKS clawed back. Naman Dhir’s explosive 37 off 18, with three boundaries off Arshdeep Singh in the 17th, kept MI on track for 200. Hardik Pandya (15 off 13) top-edged a pull to keeper Josh Inglis off Azmatullah Omarzai, who finished with 2 for 43 in the death overs. Despite a late cameo from Raj Angad Bawa (8 not out), MI posted 203 for 6, a competitive total but, as Suryakumar later noted, “10-15 runs short” of par. PBKS’s bowlers—Omarzai (2/43), Chahal (1), Jamieson (1), Stoinis (1), and Vyshak (1)—kept the pressure on.

Punjab Kings’ Chase: 207/5 in 19 Overs

Chasing 204, PBKS lost Prabhsimran Singh early for 6, dismissed by Trent Boult’s sharp short ball in the powerplay. Priyansh Arya (20 off 10) and Josh Inglis (38 off 21) counterattacked, with Inglis dismantling Jasprit Bumrah for 20 runs in the fifth over (4, 0, 6, 0, 4, 6). Impact Player Ashwani Kumar struck back for MI, removing Arya, caught by Hardik Pandya at mid-off, leaving PBKS at 55 for 2 after 5.1 overs.

Shreyas Iyer entered with composure, easing in with a classy boundary. He and Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29) forged an 84-run stand, keeping PBKS in the hunt. Inglis fell to Hardik Pandya, caught behind, and Shashank Singh (2) was run out by a direct hit from Pandya, sparking hopes of an MI comeback at 169 for 5 in 16.4 overs. With 41 needed off 24 balls, Iyer took charge, smashing three sixes off Reece Topley in the 17th over, shifting momentum decisively. In the 19th, Ashwani Kumar bore the brunt of Iyer’s onslaught—four sixes in a row, including a massive heave over deep midwicket, sealing the chase. Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 (5 fours, 8 sixes) guided PBKS to 207 for 5 in 19 overs, a 5-wicket win with 6 balls remaining. Bumrah went wicketless (0 for 40), a rare off-day, while Ashwani took 2 for 55.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Rohit’s Early Exit: Stoinis’s dismissal of Rohit Sharma (8 off 7) in the third over gave PBKS an early edge.
• Inglis Attacks Bumrah: Josh Inglis’s 20-run assault (4, 0, 6, 0, 4, 6) in the fifth over set the tone for PBKS’s chase.
• Iyer-Wadhera Partnership: The 84-run stand stabilized PBKS, countering MI’s fightback after two quick wickets.
• Topley’s Over Shifts Momentum: Shreyas Iyer’s three sixes off Reece Topley in the 17th over reduced the ask to 23 off 12 balls.
• Iyer’s Finishing Flurry: Four sixes off Ashwani Kumar in the 19th over ended MI’s hopes, securing PBKS’s historic chase.
• Bumrah’s Rare Struggle: Going wicketless for 40 runs, Bumrah couldn’t stem the tide, a pivotal factor in PBKS’s victory.

As Shreyas Iyer smashed the winning six, the PBKS camp erupted, with co-owner Preity Zinta bubbling with joy and coach Ricky Ponting hugging Ness Wadia. Iyer, named Player of the Match, remained calm, hugging Marcus Stoinis without celebration, a nod to his focus on the final ahead. He said, “I love such big occasions—the bigger the stage, the calmer you are, and you’ll get the best results.” Hardik Pandya, dejected, admitted MI were “15-20 runs short,” lamenting a lack of bowling execution. Mahela Jayawardene, MI’s coach, noted poor yorker execution cost them, despite a par score.

Key Performers

• Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Unbeaten 87 off 41 (5×4, 8×6), a captain’s knock of class and aggression, earning Player of the Match.
• Nehal Wadhera (PBKS): 48 off 29, crucial support in the middle overs to keep the chase alive.
• Josh Inglis (PBKS): 38 off 21, bold early assault on Bumrah set the platform.
• Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 44 off 26, with three sixes, boosted MI to a competitive total.
• Tilak Varma (MI): 44 off 29, steady contribution in a key 72-run stand with Bairstow.
• Naman Dhir (MI): 37 off 18, late fireworks lifted MI past 200.
• Azmatullah Omarzai (PBKS): 2 for 43, key wickets of Hardik and Dhir in the death overs.

PBKS’s 207 for 5 marked the highest successful chase in IPL playoff/knockout history and the first time MI failed to defend 200-plus in 18 seasons. It was PBKS’s eighth 200-plus chase in IPL history, the most by any team, and the ninth in IPL 2025, a record for a single edition. Shreyas Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams to IPL finals—Delhi Capitals (2020), Kolkata Knight Riders (2024), and PBKS (2025)—and the only one to do so in consecutive years. MI’s sixth consecutive loss in Ahmedabad ended their campaign, while PBKS advanced to their first final since 2014.

The win sparked jubilation among PBKS fans, who dreamed of a maiden title after an 11-year wait. The victory brushed aside memories of their Qualifier 1 collapse against RCB, setting up a rematch in the final. For MI, the five-time champions, the loss stung, relegating them to the Eliminator route’s end. Iyer’s composure under pressure and PBKS’s batting depth shone, proving their top-two finish was no fluke. The stage was set for a historic final, with both PBKS and RCB vying for their first IPL crown.

The IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 between MI and PBKS was a classic, defined by Shreyas Iyer’s match-winning 87 not out and PBKS’s fearless chase of 204. On June 1, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, PBKS defied history, toppling MI by 5 wickets in a game delayed by rain but undimmed in intensity. With key contributions from Inglis, Wadhera, and tight bowling from Omarzai, PBKS earned their shot at glory. As they prepare to face RCB on June 3, 2025, PBKS carry momentum and belief, while MI reflect on a season of missed opportunities. This clash will be remembered as a testament to leadership, grit, and the unpredictability of T20 cricket.