The TATA IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on June 1, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a high-stakes thriller that saw PBKS secure a spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). For fans looking to relive the excitement, explore exclusive promotions at Starexch to stay immersed in the IPL action. PBKS, reeling from an eight-wicket loss to RCB in Qualifier 1, bounced back with a stunning five-wicket victory over MI, chasing a record-breaking 204—the highest successful chase in IPL playoff history. This blog reviews the match, key performances, unavailable players, and critical takeaways, drawing from sources like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and The Indian Express.

Match Overview

PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl, bolstered by the return of Yuzvendra Chahal from a wrist injury. MI, coming off a 20-run Eliminator win over Gujarat Titans, posted a competitive 203/6, powered by Suryakumar Yadav (44 off 26), Tilak Varma (44 off 29), Naman Dhir (37), and Jonny Bairstow (38). PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer’s majestic 87* off 41 balls (5x4, 8x6), chased the target with five wickets in hand, marking their eighth 200+ chase in IPL history and the ninth in IPL 2025. This victory set up a Qualifier 1 rematch with RCB in the final on June 3, ensuring a first-time IPL champion.

Key Performances

Punjab Kings

• Shreyas Iyer (87 off 41, Player of the Match)*: Iyer’s big-match temperament shone through, with his 41-ball knock including a massive six off a free hit to seal the chase. His composure under pressure, focusing on breathing rather than panicking, was pivotal, as he noted post-match: “The bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, you get the big results.”
• Nehal Wadhera: Wadhera’s partnership with Iyer steadied PBKS after a shaky first 10 overs, laying the foundation for the chase. His support allowed Iyer to accelerate in the middle overs.
• Yuzvendra Chahal: Returning from injury, Chahal’s spin was crucial in restricting MI, though specific figures are unavailable. His presence bolstered PBKS’ bowling attack, which struggled without Marco Jansen.
• Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis: Despite their earlier heroics (62 and 73 vs MI in the league stage), both fell early, putting pressure on Iyer and Wadhera to rebuild.

Mumbai Indians

• Suryakumar Yadav (44 off 26): Suryakumar’s aggressive knock, with a tournament strike rate of 167.83, set a strong platform. He’s now 15 runs shy of surpassing AB de Villiers for the most runs by a non-opener in a single IPL season.
• Tilak Varma (44 off 29): Varma’s quickfire contribution kept MI’s momentum, but he couldn’t convert his start into a match-defining score.
• Naman Dhir (37 off 18): Dhir’s late blitz, with seven fours, boosted MI to 203, but it wasn’t enough.
• Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult: MI’s death-over specialists (33 wickets combined in the death overs this season) couldn’t contain PBKS’ chase, with Iyer exploiting their lengths. Hardik Pandya noted post-match that MI were 15-20 runs short.

Players Unavailable for the Playoffs

Punjab Kings

• Marco Jansen: Unavailable due to South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) final commitments. His absence weakened PBKS’ bowling and lower-order batting, with Kyle Jamieson stepping in but lacking the same impact.
• Glenn Maxwell: Also at the WTC final for Australia, leaving a gap in PBKS’ middle order and spin bowling.
• Lockie Ferguson: Ruled out due to injury, further straining PBKS’ pace attack.
• Replacements: Kyle Jamieson, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Owen. Jamieson played the league game against MI to gain match practice but struggled to fill Jansen’s all-round role.

Mumbai Indians

• Will Jacks: Unavailable due to England’s white-ball series commitments, impacting MI’s middle-order aggression and spin options.
• Ryan Rickelton: Also at England’s white-ball series, leaving a void at the top and behind the stumps. Jonny Bairstow replaced him as wicketkeeper.
• Corbin Bosch and Vignesh Puthur: Unavailable due to national commitments, though their absence was less impactful given MI’s depth.
• Replacements: Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, Richard Gleeson, Raghu Sharma. Bairstow’s 38 and Asalanka’s potential offspin added balance, but MI missed Jacks’ explosiveness.

Key Takeaways

• Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership and Clutch Performance: Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams (DC in 2020, KKR in 2024, PBKS in 2025) to IPL finals, showcasing his big-match pedigree. His 87* was a masterclass in chasing under pressure, making him one win away from 50 IPL captaincy victories.
• PBKS’ Resilience After Qualifier 1 Loss: After a catastrophic 101 all out in Qualifier 1 against RCB—the joint-lowest IPL playoff score—PBKS regrouped impressively. Iyer’s call to “throw the hiccup in the bin” and focus on intent paid off, with their eighth 200+ chase highlighting their batting depth.
• MI’s Missed Opportunity: MI’s strong Indian core—Suryakumar, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah—couldn’t overcome their sixth consecutive loss in Ahmedabad (their only win there was vs RR in 2014). Hardik Pandya admitted they were 15-20 runs short, and their bowling struggled in the death overs.
• Impact of Absences: PBKS felt Jansen’s absence keenly, with their bowling lacking bite without his pace and all-round skills. MI absorbed their absences better, with Bairstow and Asalanka stepping up, but Jacks’ unavailability left their middle order vulnerable.
• Ahmedabad Pitch Dynamics: The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch supported high scores, with MI’s 203/6 proving chaseable. PBKS’ ability to handle MI’s death-over specialists (Bumrah and Boult) was crucial, as was Chahal’s return to exploit spin-friendly conditions.

Context from League Stage (PBKS vs MI, Match 69)

In their league-stage clash on May 26 at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, PBKS dominated MI by 7 wickets, chasing 185 with nine balls to spare. Priyansh Arya (62 off 35) and Josh Inglis (73 off 42) led the charge, while Shreyas Iyer (26* with a match-sealing six) ensured a top-two finish for PBKS. MI’s Suryakumar Yadav scored 57, but their 184/7 was deemed 10-15 runs short by Hardik Pandya. This loss pushed MI to the Eliminator, setting up their Qualifier 2 rematch.

Final Thoughts

PBKS’ five-wicket triumph over MI in Qualifier 2 was a testament to their resilience and Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, overcoming a demoralizing Qualifier 1 loss to RCB. Their record-breaking chase of 204 showcased their batting prowess, with Iyer’s 87* stealing the show. MI, despite a strong Eliminator win, couldn’t capitalize on their Indian core’s potential, with Suryakumar and Varma’s starts not enough to counter PBKS’ momentum. As PBKS head to the final against RCB, they carry the confidence of their chasing prowess but must address their bowling vulnerabilities without Jansen. For the latest IPL updates and expert predictions, visit TATA IPL 2025 Match Prediction and stay engaged with Starexch promotions. The stage is set for an epic final on June 3!