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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.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.
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.
