26 May,2025 11:46 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondent
Photo: IPL/BCCI
Punjab Kings booked their place in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 with a commanding victory over Mumbai Indians, sealing a top-two finish in the league standings. In a high-stakes clash with direct playoff implications, the Shreyas Iyer-led side chased down a competitive target of 185 with remarkable composure, crossing the finish line with nine balls and seven wickets to spare.
In a match billed as a virtual quarterfinal, PBKS showcased their growing maturity and dominance with both bat and ball. After electing to field first, Punjab produced a disciplined bowling performance despite a few late fireworks from Mumbai. Suryakumar Yadav once again led MI's charge with a fluent 57 off 39 balls, becoming the franchise's highest run-scorer in a single IPL season, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. Contributions from Hardik Pandya (26 off 15) and Naman Dhir (20 off 12) propelled MI to a respectable 184/7 by the end of 20 overs.
PBKS bowlers remained largely effective throughout the innings. Marco Jansen and Harpreet Brar picked up crucial wickets, while Arshdeep Singh delivered a brilliant final over, conceding just three runs and picking up two scalps. The bowling unit ensured that Mumbai Indians' middle-order acceleration was contained to manageable levels.
In response, Punjab's chase was a statement of intent. The opening exchanges were cautious, but once Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya settled in, the duo launched a counterattack that left Mumbai reeling. Inglis played with elegant aggression, compiling a stylish 73, while Arya brought flair and authority to his 62-run knock. Their partnership laid the perfect platform and broke the back of the chase.
Even as Inglis departed following a sharp review and a breakthrough for Mitchell Santner, PBKS maintained their grip on the match. Skipper Shreyas Iyer ensured there were no late hiccups, finishing the game in emphatic style with a towering six that sealed the win.
This clinical victory not only propelled PBKS to the summit of the points table but also marked their return to the Qualifier 1 for the first time since 2014. The team will now enjoy the advantage of playing the high-stakes playoff at their home ground in Mullanpur, a reward for their consistency and resilience throughout the season.
PBKS vs MI: Full squads
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Raghu Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah
Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Arshdeep Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey, Kyle Jamieson
PBKS vs MI: Playing XIs
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton(w), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
PBKS vs MI: Toss update
Punjab Kings won the toss, elected to field first against Mumbai Indians.
PBKS vs MI: Match begins!
Shreyas Iyer finishes it off with a towering six as Punjab Kings register a commanding seven-wicket win with nine balls to spare! A truly dominant display that underlines why they sit atop the points table. From start to finish, it was a clinical and composed performance by the table-toppers, showcasing their title credentials in emphatic fashion.
PBKS: 187/3 (18.3)
Josh Inglis departs following a brilliant review by Mumbai Indians! Mitchell Santner claims his second scalp of the evening. Despite the breakthrough, Punjab Kings remain firmly in control, just 14 runs needed off 15 balls.
PBKS: 171/3 (17.3)
Both players reach their fifties in the very same over! Mumbai looks helpless against this formidable duo tonight. Their performance has been outstanding, as Punjab steadily edges closer to victory.
PBKS: 120/1 (12)
Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis continue to apply pressure with their aggressive strokeplay, taking on Mitchell Santner in the seventh over. Arya pierced the field with a crisp boundary, followed by Inglis launching a clean six down the ground. The over yielded 14 runs, keeping Punjab Kings firmly on track with the required rate in their chase.
PBKS: 61/1 (7)
Bumrah claims the opening breakthrough. This time, Ashwani Kumar redeems himself with a sharp catch, erasing the memory of his earlier drop of Prabhsimran Singh. The left-arm seamer and Mumbai Indians breathe a sigh of relief as Jasprit Bumrah makes an immediate impact, taking a wicket in his very first over to draw first blood for the five-time champions.
PBKS: 35/1 (5)
Mumbai Indians posted a total of 184 for seven in their 20 overs after being put in to bat first. Suryakumar Yadav led the charge with a brisk 57 off 39 deliveries, anchoring the innings with flair. He found support from Naman Dhir and skipper Hardik Pandya, both of whom chipped in with quickfire cameos in the 20s, adding crucial momentum to the innings during the middle and death overs.
MI: 184/7 (20)
Marco Jansen strikes with the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya, removing the power-hitter for a 15-ball 26 as Mumbai Indians lose their fifth wicket.
MI: 153/5 (17)
Will Jacks provides a brisk boost at number five, guiding Mumbai Indians past the 100-run mark in 12 overs. His fluent start comes after Tilak Varma departs cheaply, managing just one run off four balls. Varma becomes Mumbai's third wicket of the evening and the second to fall in quick succession.
MI: 100/3 (12)
Suryakumar Yadav goes on the offensive against Kyle Jamieson, smashing the pacer for two crisp boundaries and a towering six.
MI: 79/1 (9)
Harpreet Brar's struggles persist as the Punjab Kings spinner leaks nine runs in his second over.
MI: 64/1 (8)
Marco Jansen delivers the first breakthrough, dismissing Ryan Rickelton at the end of the final powerplay over.
MI: 45/1 (5.1)
Ryan Rickelton takes on Arshdeep Singh with two scorching boundaries in the second over of his spell.
MI: 32/0 (4)
Ryan Rickelton hits the opening boundary to get going for Mumbai Indians against Arshdeep Singh. Eight runs come off the first over.
MI: 8/0 (1)
