Preity Zinta, Shreyas Iyer Lead Celebrations As Punjab Kings Storm Into IPL 2025 Final
- Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls powered Punjab Kings to a successful 204-run chase and a spot in the IPL 2025 final.
- Preity Zinta’s jubilant reactions and on-field celebrations with Iyer and Ricky Ponting added glamour and emotion to the Kings' win.
- With Punjab Kings set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2025 will see a new title winner for the first time since 2022.
Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians in a thrilling Qualifier 2 encounter to secure a place in the IPL 2025 final, with skipper Shreyas Iyer's scintillating unbeaten 87 leading the charge and team co-owner Preity Zinta stealing the spotlight with her animated celebrations.
In a high-octane contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Punjab Kings chased down a challenging target of 204, thanks to a captain’s knock from Shreyas Iyer and valuable contributions from Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera. The five-wicket victory booked Punjab Kings their first IPL final appearance since 2014 and set up a mouthwatering title clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The match began nearly two hours and fifteen minutes late due to rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of fans or players. Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 203/6, riding on handy contributions from Jonny Bairstow (38), Tilak Varma (44), and Suryakumar Yadav (44). Naman Dhir’s late fireworks (33 off 18) ensured the five-time champions breached the 200-run mark. However, the bowling unit failed to contain Punjab's chase, with Jasprit Bumrah ending wicketless (0/40) and Reece Topley and Ashwini Kumar being taken apart at crucial junctures.
Shreyas Iyer, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in 2024, once again stood tall on the big stage. His unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls, laced with 5 fours and 8 towering sixes, was a masterclass in composure and controlled aggression. Iyer received able support from Inglis (38 off 21) and Wadhera (48 off 29), the latter capitalizing on two dropped chances to stitch a vital 84-run stand with his skipper.
The turning point came in the 13th over, when Iyer smashed three sixes off Reece Topley to accelerate the chase. He later sealed the victory with a flourish blasting four sixes in the 19th over bowled by left-arm seamer Ashwini Kumar, bringing the crowd to its feet.
As Iyer struck the winning runs, the Punjab Kings dugout erupted in celebration. In the stands, co-owner Preity Zinta was seen jumping with joy alongside co-owner Ness Wadia. The Bollywood star then made her way to the field, where she hugged Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, and later shared a light moment during the presentation ceremony, including a cheeky wink at one of the Punjab stars.
This victory not only marks a return to the final for the Kings after 11 years but also confirms that a new IPL champion will be crowned this season. With Iyer at the helm and momentum firmly in their favor, Punjab Kings will be aiming to script history on June 3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
