Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer elected to field first at a venue known for its high-scoring matches, having seen many first innings totals surpass the 200-run mark throughout the season
Suryakumar Yadav (Pic: IPL/BCCI)
In a thrilling penultimate league fixture of IPL 2025 on Monday, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya propelled Mumbai Indians to a competitive total of 184 for seven, despite a determined bowling effort from Punjab Kings. Both teams entered the match with a pressing need to secure a victory to bolster their chances of finishing in the coveted top-two positions on the points table.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer elected to field first at a venue known for its high-scoring matches, having seen many first innings totals surpass the 200-run mark throughout the season. Mumbai’s innings was anchored by the in-form Suryakumar Yadav. His unbeaten 57 off 39 balls not only anchored the innings but also saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become Mumbai Indians’ highest run-scorer in a single IPL season.
Opening batsman Ryan Rickelton provided some early fireworks, striking a fluent 27 off 20 deliveries. Despite his elegant stroke play, Mumbai Indians managed to post 52 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the powerplay overs. Punjab Kings’ pacer Arshdeep Singh impressed early on by swinging the ball both ways, troubling Rickelton, who managed to hold his ground.
Kyle Jamieson, making his debut for Punjab Kings, soon found his rhythm and conceded a couple of boundaries to Rickelton in the next over. Rohit Sharma, Mumbai’s captain, started cautiously but got into his stride with a powerful straight drive over mid-off off the bowling of Marco Jansen. However, Jansen, playing his final match of the season for Punjab Kings, struck back by inducing a mistimed shot from Rickelton, resulting in the opener’s dismissal at mid-on in the sixth over.
In the absence of star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar took charge during the middle overs, delivering a disciplined performance. He claimed the vital wicket of Rohit Sharma, who was brilliantly caught at long-on by Nehal Wadhera following a misjudged shot.
At 106 for four after 13 overs, Punjab Kings appeared to have the upper hand. Hardik Pandya, however, survived a let-off early on when Vijaykumar Vyshak failed to hold a straightforward return catch. Vyshak played a pivotal role for Punjab Kings by dismissing Will Jacks and Tilak Varma in quick succession, employing a clever wide line to stifle the Mumbai batsmen.
Momentum swung back in Mumbai Indians’ favor during the penultimate over, when Vyshak conceded a costly 23 runs. Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir (20 off 12) capitalised on the pressure, unleashing powerful strokes in the death overs. The final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh proved crucial, as the left-arm pacer bowled with precision, taking two wickets while conceding just three runs, providing Punjab Kings with a glimmer of hope going into the chase.
(With PTI inputs)
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