Ahmedabad: Punjab Kings posted an impressive 243/5, with Shreyas Iyer leading the charge, scoring 97* off 42 balls. Gujarat Titans fell short, finishing at 232/5 despite strong performances from Sai Sudharsan (74), Jos Buttler (54), and Shimron Hetmyer (46).
Punjab’s win came by a margin of 11 runs, with their death-over brilliance proving decisive.
Iyer Shines with Batting Masterclass: Shreyas Iyer, who was vocal about his desire to bat at No. 3 this season, proved his point in style.
After walking in at a crucial moment, Iyer unleashed a brutal assault on Gujarat’s bowlers, smashing nine sixes, a career-best in the IPL.
At the start of the final over, he was on 97*, but chose not to face the last delivery, allowing his partner Shashank Singh to complete the over, showing true team spirit.
Iyer’s innings was marked by aggressive shots, including sixes off Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, pushing Punjab towards a massive total.
Unstoppable Iyer-Arya Partnership: Iyer and Shashank Singh formed an explosive partnership, adding an unbroken 81 runs in just 28 balls, showcasing the depth in Punjab’s batting lineup.
While Iyer took the spotlight, Priyansh Arya, the 24-year-old opening batter, played a crucial role early on, hitting eight boundaries in the powerplay.
Arya’s ability to strike boundaries off top bowlers like Rabada and Siraj highlights his growing reputation in the IPL 2025 season.
Sai Sudharsan’s Power-Packed Knock: Despite Punjab’s massive total, Gujarat Titans remained in the hunt thanks to Sai Sudharsan, who continued his fine form from the previous season.
Sudharsan’s 74 off 41 balls anchored Gujarat’s chase. His attacking play in the middle overs, along with a strong 50 from Jos Buttler, kept Titans ahead of the required run rate.
However, the required run rate began climbing as Punjab tightened their grip in the death overs.
Key Contributions from Punjab’s Bowlers: Although Punjab Kings’ bowlers had their hands full, they kept their cool when it mattered most.
Vijaykumar Vyshak, who was introduced in the 15th over, delivered an outstanding performance.
His full-length deliveries, coupled with precise execution, strangled Gujarat’s momentum.
Vyshak’s efforts in the 15th and 17th overs, where he gave away just 10 runs in 12 balls, completely shifted the balance of the game.
The Final Push: Punjab’s bowlers continued to excel, and despite the efforts from Sudharsan and Buttler, Gujarat Titans could only manage 50 runs in the last five overs.
while Punjab had surged to 77 runs during the same period. This shift in momentum helped Punjab secure the victory, with a thrilling win by 11 runs.
IPL 2025: A Promising Start for New Faces As IPL 2025 heats up, new and returning players have been making significant impacts.
Shreyas Iyer’s stellar knock, Priyansh Arya’s fearless batting, and Vyshak’s game-changing overs are just a glimpse of the exciting action the season promises.
As teams fine-tune their strategies, IPL 2025 continues to deliver nail-biting finishes and incredible individual performances, ensuring fans stay glued to every match.