Preity Zinta and Shreyas Iyer) (BCCI/IPL Photo)
NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings stormed into the IPL 2025 final with a thrilling five-wicket win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, powered by a sensational unbeaten 87 off 41 balls from skipper Shreyas Iyer.
As the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League nears its conclusion, a new champion is guaranteed. PBKS, playing their first final since 2014, will now take on four-time finalists Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday, June 3.Following Punjab’s memorable victory, franchise co-owner Preity Zinta took to social media to celebrate the moment."Wow what a win. Punjabi aa gaye oye," she posted, capturing the mood of jubilant fans.
Set a target of 204, Punjab's chase was set up early by Josh Inglis, who smashed 38 off 21 balls, including a 20-run over off Jasprit Bumrah. The foundation allowed Iyer and Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29 balls) to stitch together a crucial 84-run stand in just 7.5 overs, putting PBKS within striking distance.
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Iyer finished the job in style with an over to spare, peppering the innings with eight towering sixes.Earlier, Mumbai Indians, after being asked to bat, posted a competitive 203/6.
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav scored 44 runs apiece, anchoring the innings after Jonny Bairstow (38 off 24) had given them a brisk start post Rohit Sharma's early dismissal for 8.
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Tilak added 51 with Bairstow and another 72 with Suryakumar to stabilize the innings, while Naman Dhir chipped in with a vital 37 off 18 balls at the death.Among the wicket-takers for Punjab were Yuzvendra Chahal (1/39 in 4), Vyshak Vijaykumar (1/30 in 3), and Kyle Jamieson (1/30 in 4), each playing a key role in limiting MI to a chaseable total.