The Indian Premier League will have a new champion in 2025. Punjab Kings stormed into the final for only the second time in their 18-year history after outclassing five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 on Sunday, 1 June. Shreyas Iyer’s men will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on 3 June.
“We have lost the battle, but not the war,” said a defiant Shreyas Iyer after Punjab Kings lost the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 on Wednesday. It had been a hammering at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as Punjab paid the price for overdoing the aggressive approach that had otherwise served them well. Shreyas’s words seemed somewhat over-the-top, considering the comprehensive nature of that defeat. | IPL 2025, PBKS vs MI Highlights |
Yet it was Shreyas Iyer who led from the front when it mattered most, helping Punjab Kings seize their second chance to reach the final. In Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians, the skipper produced one of his finest innings of the tournament — an unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls — to help Punjab chase down 204 with six deliveries to spare. His trademark bravado and flair were on full display as he launched towering sixes, dug out Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers, and wrested the match from Mumbai’s grasp.
Shreyas Iyer will lead Punjab Kings once again against RCB, this time in the big final where sparks will fly. Punjab ended their 11-year wait for a place in the final, and they’ve done it in style, playing fearless cricket and showcasing their remarkable resilience to bounce back from setbacks.
HEARTBREAK FOR MUMBAI INDIANS
For Hardik Pandya and his men, it was a heartbreaking exit. Mumbai Indians crashed out after mounting a valiant comeback in the second half of the season. Having lost five of their first six games, they stormed into the playoffs by winning seven of their last eight. They were clinical in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans but ultimately ran out of steam against a Punjab side that handled the pressure superbly.
Chasing a steep target of 204, Punjab Kings got off to a cautious start as Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya took their time against the new-ball attack of Trent Boult and Reece Topley. It was an uncharacteristically measured approach from two of the most explosive openers of the season. Perhaps it was the after-effect of their batting collapse in Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, when each batter recklessly threw caution to the wind, resulting in a paltry total of 101 in just 14.1 overs.
Prabhsimran Singh attempted to shift gears in the third over, but his aggression proved costly. He was dismissed for 6 off 9 balls, with Trent Boult providing the early breakthrough for Mumbai.