Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: In a high-voltage clash with a spot in the IPL 2025 final on the line, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are locking horns today, June 1, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This Qualifier 2 battle will decide who faces off in the grand finale, while the loser will bid farewell to their campaign.
Punjab Kings’ skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, a move often backed by stats in high-pressure playoff games. The pitch at Ahmedabad has traditionally supported teams chasing under lights, and with both teams boasting explosive batting lineups, the toss could prove crucial.
Road to Qualifier 2
Mumbai Indians earned their spot in this match with a thrilling 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. Led by Hardik Pandya, MI defended a modest total with clinical bowling and clutch performances. This win not only kept their title hopes alive but also reaffirmed their reputation as the kings of knockout pressure.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings, who had finished in the top two after the league stage, suffered a defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first qualifier. Despite a solid campaign under new captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS now find themselves in a do-or-die scenario. However, the second chance gives them an opportunity to regroup and aim for their maiden IPL title.
Toss Update: PBKS Elect to Bowl First
Speaking at the toss, Shreyas Iyer said,
“The wicket looks good, and we’ve chased well throughout the season. It’s a high-stakes game, but the boys are pumped. We’ll look to restrict them and chase it down confidently.”
MI captain Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by being put in to bat first, saying:
“It doesn’t matter much at this stage — runs on the board always help in big matches. We’ve played enough knockouts to know how to handle pressure.”
Playing XIs of Both Teams
Punjab Kings Playing XI:
- Priyansh Arya
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Marcus Stoinis
- Shashank Singh
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Kyle Jamieson
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Mumbai Indians Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma
- Jonny Bairstow (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Raj Bawa
- Trent Boult
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Reece Topley
Key Players to Watch
- Jasprit Bumrah has been lethal this season, especially in the death overs, and will be crucial on a pitch that offers pace and bounce.
- Marcus Stoinis brings solidity and power to the PBKS middle order and also offers a handy seam option.
- Suryakumar Yadav, MI’s batting linchpin, will aim to anchor the innings while accelerating in the middle overs.
- Yuzvendra Chahal, the experienced leggie, will look to exploit any turn and apply pressure in the middle phase.
This match is not just a ticket to the final; it’s a battle of legacy versus redemption. Mumbai Indians, with five titles under their belt, aim to reclaim their dominance after a few inconsistent seasons. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, are eyeing their first-ever IPL final appearance in over a decade — a moment their loyal fans have been waiting for.
