source : BCCI
Mumbai Indians might have set a formidable 203 on the board, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Punjab Kings’ cool-headed Shreyas Iyer. His unbeaten 87 off 49 balls led PBKS to a five-wicket win, marking the first time MI failed to defend a 200-plus total. With this win, PBKS not only booked their spot in the final but also signaled a shift of power in the IPL as a new champion is set to emerge.
Shreyas walked in early, knew the required rate was steep, and made it look like a stroll in the park. His timing was impeccable, especially when he launched Reece Topley for three sixes in an over, shifting the game’s momentum. Calm under pressure, he handled Bumrah’s yorkers with the softest of hands and steered PBKS to victory. His steely resolve and clear thinking made the chase look effortless, a performance that mirrored the dominance once associated with Kohli.
Nehal Wadhera’s gritty 48 provided the perfect foil for Shreyas. Though dropped early in his innings, Wadhera capitalized, including a massive six off Ashwani Kumar before falling just shy of his fifty. Josh Inglis too played a game-changing cameo, smashing 20 off Bumrah in a single over, a rare sight against the world’s premier fast bowler. PBKS’ calculated aggression in the chase left MI bowlers bewildered.
MI’s innings was powered by Suryakumar Yadav’s 44 and Tilak Varma’s 44, with the pair’s aggressive stroke play suggesting a total closer to 220. However, PBKS’ bowlers, led by Kyle Jamieson’s clever variations and Arshdeep Singh’s death-over skills, kept things in check. Key wickets of SKY and Tilak between overs 14 and 15 turned the tide back toward PBKS, ensuring MI couldn’t capitalize on their flying start.
With PBKS advancing to the final and MI left to reflect on their missed opportunities, IPL 2025 now promises a fresh champion. Whether it’s Punjab Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru who lift the trophy, one thing is clear: a new era in IPL has arrived, and it’s Shreyas Iyer who has led the charge for PBKS with his masterclass in composure and shot-making under pressure.
