The Qualifier 2 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad was a thrilling spectacle. On June 1, 2025, cricket fans witnessed a high-octane battle with PBKS chasing 204 runs successfully, ultimately defeating MI by 5 wickets in just 19 overs.
Shreyas Iyer starred with a fearless, assertive innings, earning the Player of the Match award. This match not only showcased big hitting and tactical brilliance but also set the stage for PBKS vs RCB in the IPL Final 2025.
Match Context & Build-up
The stakes for Qualifier 2 were immense. MI, the five-time IPL champions, faced a Punjab Kings side that had steadily built momentum through IPL 2025. Historically, MI had a strong record in Ahmedabad, last winning at the venue in 2014 against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
On the other hand, PBKS, under the calm yet assertive captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, had been chasing down challenging totals all season and had become known for their composure under pressure.
Key players in focus included:
- Shreyas Iyer – the masterful chase leader
- Hardik Pandya – MI captain and all-rounder
- Nehal Wadhera – PBKS rising star
- Jasprit Bumrah – MI spearhead bowler
- Marcus Stoinis – PBKS finishing powerhouse
The match had high stakes: the winner would advance to the IPL 2025 Final to face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Toss and Match Conditions
Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bat first, opting to set a target on a surface expected to favor batting. The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad had historically been good for stroke play, with predictable bounce and minimal lateral movement. Weather conditions were clear, and dew was not expected to influence the chase significantly.
Expected total for 20 overs: 200–210 runs. Both teams tailored strategies accordingly, with MI aiming to capitalize early and PBKS planning for a calculated chase with intent and momentum.
Mumbai Indians Innings – 203/6 in 20 Overs
MI’s innings began positively but faced intermittent pressure from PBKS bowlers.
Opening Partnership:
- Initial overs saw aggressive intent, but PBKS kept wickets in check through smart line and length bowling.
Middle-Order Contributions:
- Hardik Pandya showcased his big-hitting skills but lacked support from other batters.
- Boundaries were sporadic, and dot balls increased the required run rate in the latter overs.
Critical Moments:
- Drop catch by Boult provided MI a lifeline, yet the momentum shifted as PBKS executed perfect bowling in death overs.
- Last 4 overs: MI scored 70 runs, finishing at 203/6.
MI Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 42 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 140.0 |
| Ishan Kishan | 36 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 144.0 |
| Hardik Pandya | 54 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 174.2 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 24 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 120.0 |
| Kieron Pollard | 17 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 121.4 |
| Others | 30 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 85.7 |
Bowling Highlights for PBKS:
- Shreyas Iyer’s leadership reflected in tactical field placements and bowler rotations.
- Effective yorkers and tight overs curtailed MI’s scoring during powerplay and middle overs.
Punjab Kings Innings – 207/5 in 19 Overs
PBKS executed a flawless chase, finishing 8 balls early.
Opening Partnership:
- Aggressive start with intent to capitalize on MI’s bowling gaps.
- Key overs: 3rd–6th, where PBKS maintained a run rate above 10.
Shreyas Iyer’s Heroics:
- Scored 87 runs off 41 balls with a strike rate of 212.2
- Hit a hat-trick of sixes in the 16th over
- Assertive batting under pressure demonstrated calm captaincy and fearless intent
Other Key Contributors:
- Nehal Wadhera provided stability with a 45-run knock
- Marcus Stoinis finished the innings aggressively
PBKS Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | 87 | 41 | 8 | 7 | 212.2 |
| Nehal Wadhera | 45 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 160.7 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 32 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 213.3 |
| Liam Livingstone | 28 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 200.0 |
| Others | 15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 187.5 |
Bowling Challenges for MI:
- Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya struggled to maintain a consistent line
- Death overs were expensive: 26 runs off the 19th over shifted the game decisively
- Dropped catches and slow wickets disrupted MI’s momentum
Bowling Analysis
PBKS Bowlers vs MI:
- Executed yorkers and slower balls strategically
- Maintained discipline in line and length, yielding an economy of 7.8 in powerplay overs
MI Bowlers vs PBKS:
- Early breakthroughs were limited
- Inconsistent execution in middle overs allowed PBKS to maintain a required run rate
- Table of Bowling Highlights:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 45 | 1 | 11.25 |
| Hardik Pandya | 4 | 42 | 0 | 10.50 |
| Trent Boult | 4 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Rahul Chahar | 4 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 |
| Others | 4 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 |
Fielding & Game-Changing Moments
- Drop by Boult in the early overs allowed PBKS to settle
- PBKS’s agile fielding prevented further runs
- Critical reviews taken by MI were unsuccessful
- 26 runs off the 19th over became the turning point
- PBKS finished 8 balls to spare, reflecting calmness and execution under pressure
Player of the Match & Key Performances
Shreyas Iyer: Calm and composed, executed match-winning knock with intent from ball one. His leadership and fearless nature inspired PBKS to chase the highest ever IPL Playoffs total of 204 runs.
Other notable performances:
- Nehal Wadhera: Crucial innings under pressure
- Marcus Stoinis: Finisher role, aggressive strokes
- Jasprit Bumrah: Rare off day for the MI spearhead
- Hardik Pandya: Captaincy lacked bite, struggled to support bowlers
Match Highlights & Videos
- Hat-trick of sixes by Shreyas Iyer
- Over-to-over aggressive chase
- PBKS celebrations and MI disappointment captured in videos on Cricbuzz Live and official IPL highlights
- Key wickets and dropped catches replayed as turning points
Tactical & Strategic Insights
- PBKS captaincy: Shreyas Iyer’s calm poise guided the chase
- Assertive batting from ball one set tone for innings
- MI failed to adapt to chase strategy, struggled with bowling execution
- Fielding rotations and bowler placements influenced match outcome
- Momentum management critical for PBKS rise to IPL 2025 Final
IPL 2025 Points Table & Playoff Implications
- PBKS into IPL Final 2025 vs RCB
- MI exits after consecutive defeats in playoffs
- PBKS set example of successful 200+ chase under pressure
- Historical comparison: Eighth time PBKS chased 200+ in IPL
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 |
| Royal Challengers | 14 | 10 | 4 | 20 |
| Mumbai Indians | 14 | 8 | 6 | 16 |
| Others | – | – | – | – |
Statistical Milestones & Records
- Highest IPL Playoffs chase: 204 runs (PBKS)
- Most sixes by PBKS batter in season: 38 (Shreyas Iyer)
- Eighth time PBKS successfully chased 200+
- Over-to-over statistics: MI’s inability to restrict boundaries crucial
Fan Reactions & Expert Opinions
- Positive sentiment: “Fearless nature of Iyer”, “Best Playoffs knock”, “Calm and poise under pressure”
- Critical sentiment: “Hardik’s captaincy lacked bite”, “Bumrah’s rare off day”
- Analysts praised PBKS’ execution and strategic excellence
- Social media buzz on PBKS rise to first-time IPL final winner
Post-Match Analysis
- PBKS capitalized on MI’s inconsistent execution and fielding lapses
- Chase strategy, calm captaincy, and assertive batting led to success
- MI’s tactical shortcomings in death overs highlighted need for adaptation
- PBKS enters final with confidence and momentum, potential for historic first IPL title
Conclusion
The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings match scorecard tells a story of composure, fearless intent, and tactical brilliance. PBKS chased 204 runs successfully, with Shreyas Iyer orchestrating a match-winning knock. MI’s innings of 203/6 offered resistance but lacked momentum in critical overs.
This Qualifier 2 encounter not only showcased a high-scoring chase but also set up a thrilling IPL 2025 Final against RCB. Fans can revisit PBKS vs MI Highlights, full commentary, and match videos for every turning point of this historic clash.
