The stage was set at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025—Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings—and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Under the lights, with a spot in the grand final at stake, it was Shreyas Iyer who stole the show with a sensational 41-ball 87* that powered PBKS to a thrilling 5-wicket victory, knocking the mighty Mumbai Indians out of the tournament.
Let’s relive every big moment, every fall of a wicket, and every six that lit up this high-voltage clash.
Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings: Toss and Team Decisions
Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first, a bold decision considering Mumbai’s explosive top order. The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch was expected to be a belter, and Punjab seemed confident chasing under lights.
Mumbai Indians’ Innings: Solid Start, Explosive Finish
Early Jitters for MI
The Mumbai Indians were rocked early when captain Rohit Sharma fell for just 8 runs off 7 balls, courtesy of Marcus Stoinis. The early loss put MI on the back foot, but they weren’t done yet.
Bairstow’s Blitz
Jonny Bairstow came in with positive intent, smashing 38 off just 24 deliveries. His quickfire knock helped MI recover from the early blow, but his dismissal by Vyshak just as he looked set for a big one was a crucial moment.
Middle Overs Momentum
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav stitched together a vital 72-run partnership off just 41 balls. Varma was steady, and Surya brought his usual flair. However, the breakthrough came via Yuzvendra Chahal, who dismissed Surya and changed the momentum again.
MI Push Past 200
Naman Dhir’s cameo—an 18-ball 37—and Raj Bawa’s 8 off 4 ensured Mumbai Indians crossed the 200-run mark, finishing at 203/6 in their 20 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler for PBKS with figures of 2 for 43, including the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya, who struggled for rhythm and was dismissed for 15 off 13 balls.
Punjab Kings’ Run Chase: The Shreyas Iyer Show
Early Setbacks
PBKS started their chase with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. However, it wasn’t a smooth beginning. Prabhsimran departed early for 6, caught by Reece Topley. Then Priyansh tried to match Inglis’ aggression and lost his wicket for 20 off 10 balls. PBKS were 55/2 by the end of the fifth over.
Inglis vs Bumrah
Josh Inglis took on Jasprit Bumrah in what turned out to be one of the most thrilling overs of the match—4, 0, 6, 0, 4, 6—scoring 20 runs off Bumrah. It gave Punjab a surge of momentum. But the joy was short-lived, as Hardik Pandya returned to dismiss Inglis for 34, a much-needed breakthrough for MI.
The Iyer-Wadhera Partnership
At 72/3, PBKS were under pressure. Enter Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera. What followed was a match-defining partnership of 50 runs off just 28 balls. Iyer was timing the ball to perfection, finding gaps, and clearing the ropes with ease. Wadhera played the perfect supporting role before falling to Ashwani Kumar for 26.
With 122/3 on the board and eight overs to go, the match was in the balance.
A Brilliant Knock Under Pressure
Iyer brought up his half-century in style and didn’t stop there. Even with Shashank Singh being run out due to a moment of laziness (a sharp piece of fielding by Pandya), Iyer stood tall. Calm under pressure, fearless in execution.
Then came the grand finale—needing a handful of runs, Shreyas Iyer smashed a massive six to seal the victory and his place in the IPL 2025 Final. A knock for the ages—87* off just 41 balls. Ice in his veins, fire in his bat.
Key Moments from Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2025 Qualifier 2
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Rohit Sharma dismissed early (8 off 7): Marcus Stoinis got the big fish early.
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Bairstow’s 38 (24): Short but impactful innings before Vyshak struck.
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Surya-Tilak stand (72 off 41): Stabilized the innings in middle overs.
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Naman Dhir’s 37 (18): Boosted MI to a strong total of 203/6.
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Azmatullah Omarzai’s 2/43: Dismissed Pandya, key in death overs.
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Josh Inglis’ onslaught against Bumrah: 20-run over, set chase on fire.
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*Shreyas Iyer’s 87 (41)**: Match-winning innings of the season.
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Nehal Wadhera’s support role (26): Perfect foil to Iyer’s fireworks.
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Pandya’s brilliance in fielding: Ran out Shashank Singh.
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Final blow—a six by Iyer: PBKS win by 5 wickets, enter IPL 2025 final.
Post-Match: What They Said
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS Captain):
“It’s a special feeling. We knew we had to dig deep after losing early wickets. The pitch was good and I just wanted to back my instincts. Credit to the bowlers for keeping MI under control. We’re ready for the final.”
Hardik Pandya (MI Captain):
“Tough loss. We were about 10–15 runs short and lost momentum in the last few overs. Credit to Shreyas and PBKS—they played brilliantly.”
What’s Next?
Punjab Kings now head to the IPL 2025 Final, where they will face their final challenge. It’s going to be a battle of the reds, and if Shreyas Iyer continues this form, PBKS might just script history.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, will have to go back to the drawing board after a promising campaign came to an abrupt end.
Final Scorecard Summary
Mumbai Indians: 203/6 (20 overs)
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Bairstow 38 (24)
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Suryakumar Yadav 40 (27)
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Naman Dhir 37 (18)
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Azmatullah Omarzai: 2/43
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Vyshak: 1/20 (2)
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Chahal: 1/39 (4)
Punjab Kings: 207/5 (19 overs)
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Shreyas Iyer 87* (41)
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Inglis 34 (18)
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Wadhera 26 (20)
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Hardik Pandya: 1/27
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Ashwani Kumar: 1 wicket
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Topley: 1 catch, 0 wickets
My Take: A Knock That’ll Be Remembered
From a fan’s point of view, this was easily one of the most thrilling IPL playoff games in recent memory. Shreyas Iyer showed not just form, but exceptional leadership and composure. For a player often under scrutiny, this innings was his response. And what a response it was!
If PBKS go on to win the title, this innings in Ahmedabad might be seen as the moment that turned destiny in their favor.
Aamir Ahmad Fateh is a seasoned digital marketer and experienced news writer with over 7 years of expertise in covering political affairs, social issues, technology, sports, and Bollywood. He is the founder and chief editor of 24fnews.com, where he is dedicated to delivering accurate, unbiased, and timely news to a wide audience every day. His sharp insights and journalistic integrity make him a trusted voice in the digital news space.
