Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya conceded that his team’s bowling department did not carry out their strategies successfully, accolading Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant knock which guided PBKS to a historic win and first IPL final stint in more than ten years.
“Particularly Shreyas, the manner in which he batted, he took his opportunities and played beautifully. It was a par score, but it badly required excellent execution from the bowling side. They were in great control and put pressure on us, and we were not able to execute as we would have liked. [Would Bumrah have bowled the 17th over?] In retrospect, it would have been different, but perhaps slightly premature,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.
Punjab Pursues 204 With an Over to Spare
Pursuing a fighting score of 204, Punjab Kings showed the ideal balance of aggression and calm to win the game in 19 overs. Shreyas Iyer hit a captain’s innings, remaining not out and taking the initiative from the front with a firebrand 87 off only 41 deliveries, hitting five fours and eight sixes.
PBKS’s run chase got off to a wobbly start when Prabhsimran Singh got out for a mere 6 to Trent Boult in the third over. Priyansh Arya, though, brought the momentum with a rapid 20 from 10 balls before getting out to Ashwani Kumar at 55/2.
Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis came in with Iyer in the middle and nailed down the innings with a mighty 38 off 21 balls, striking five boundaries and two sixes. His departure at the hands of Hardik Pandya marked a significant moment, half-stopping Punjab’s chase temporarily.
Wadhera and Iyer Steady the Innings
As the pressure grew, Nehal Wadhera joined forces with Iyer to stage an 84-run stand. Wadhera scored an important 48 before getting out against Ashwani Kumar, but the duo had already put PBKS in a dominant position.
In spite of the late Shashank Singh run-out for only 2, Punjab Kings were not fazed. They reached 100 in 10.3 overs and went on to reach 150 by the 15.1 over milestone, keeping the required rate under their control.
Iyer Seals the Win in Style
As wickets tumbled around him, Iyer maintained his poise and finished the game with a towering six in the 19th over, propelling PBKS into the IPL 2025 final for the first time since 2014. His unbeaten 87 earned him the Player of the Match award.
MI’s Strong Start Falls Short
Earlier in the game, Mumbai Indians scored a fighting 203/6 in 20 overs with good effort from Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom scored 44. In spite of the impressive score, MI bowlers were unable to capitalize in crucial moments.
