Shreyas Iyer really came through again in IPL 2025, helping the Punjab Kings beat the Mumbai Indians to reach the final. He scored an impressive 87 not out off 41 balls, which got Punjab to their second IPL final and their first in eleven years, winning by five wickets. Chasing a tough target of 204, the team showed good aggression and kept their cool, finishing the job with one over to spare. A big part of the win was Iyer’s solid batting and smart leadership.
Chennai Super Kings bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also gave a shoutout to a couple of other players for their roles. Australian Josh Inglis stepped up with 38 off 21 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. When things got tense, Nehal Wadhera teamed up with Iyer to put together an important 84-run partnership, keeping up the required scoring rate.
Ashwin pointed out some key moments, particularly when Iyer hit a six over extra cover off a free hit. He was always there when they needed a boundary. But Ashwin made sure to recognize Inglis and Wadhera too, noting how Inglis handled Bumrah during a crucial over that shifted things in Punjab’s favor.
There’s also a rising star in the Punjab squad, Priyansh Arya, who scored 20 off 10 balls despite getting out early in the powerplay. His quick runs helped Punjab maintain their momentum, allowing Iyer to stay focused with Wadhera.
With this achievement, Iyer has now led three different teams to the IPL finals, and he has the chance to become a two-time champion, which is no small feat. This marks Punjab’s first playoff appearance in eleven years.