Ahmedabad, June 2 – Punjab Kings have made history by qualifying for the IPL final for the first time in 11 years, defeating Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets in the high-stakes Qualifier 2 on Sunday. Led by a sensational unbeaten 87 from skipper Shreyas Iyer, Punjab chased down a mammoth 204-run target with an over to spare in a rain-affected clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
With this victory, Punjab Kings booked a date with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2025 final on June 3 — ensuring that this year’s tournament will crown a brand-new champion.
Mumbai Set a Mammoth Total Despite No Final-Over Fireworks
After a delayed start due to rain, Mumbai Indians posted an imposing 203/6. Openers fell early, but Suryakumar Yadav (44), Tilak Varma (44), and Naman Dhir (37) anchored the innings effectively. Despite a power-packed powerplay yielding 65 runs, Mumbai couldn’t hit a single six in the final five overs. Nonetheless, they crossed the 200-run mark, thanks to quickfire knocks in the middle overs.
Punjab Fight Back: Inglis Takes on Bumrah, Sets the Tone
Punjab responded aggressively with Josh Inglis smashing 20 runs off a single Jasprit Bumrah over. The team reached 64 in the powerplay. In the middle overs, Nehal Wadhera (48) and skipper Shreyas Iyer steadied the chase, building crucial partnerships and keeping the asking rate under control.
Captain Iyer Delivers Masterclass Under Pressure
It was Shreyas Iyer who stole the show with a match-winning innings for the ages. His unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls, laced with 6 sixes and 4 boundaries, tilted the game decisively in Punjab’s favor. He accelerated brilliantly in the death overs, finishing the match in the 19th over with a flurry of sixes.
With this win, Iyer became the first captain in IPL history to lead three different franchises to the final — Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and now Punjab Kings in 2025.
What’s Next: A Battle for First-Time Glory
The IPL 2025 final, set for Tuesday, June 3, will feature two franchises chasing their maiden title — Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. With both teams historically falling short in finals, this edition guarantees a first-time IPL champion, adding a thrilling dimension to the season’s climax.
Match Summary
Mumbai Indians – 203/6 (20 overs)
Tilak Varma 44, Suryakumar Yadav 44, Naman Dhir 37
Azmatullah Omarzai – 2/43
Punjab Kings – 207/5 (19 overs)
Shreyas Iyer 87* (41), Nehal Wadhera 48
Hardik Pandya – 1/19
Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
