June 1, 2025: Punjab Kings (PBKS) have stormed into the IPL 2025 final after a thrilling chase against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday night. Skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front, delivering a stunning unbeaten 87 off 41 balls to chase down a daunting 204-run target and secure PBKS’ first IPL final appearance since 2014.
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While Iyer remained calm and composed after smashing the match-winning six, a moment of visible frustration surfaced moments later during the post-match handshake when he confronted teammate Shashank Singh — the fallout of a costly run-out during a crucial phase of the game.
The incident occurred in the 17th over when PBKS still needed 35 runs from 21 balls with six wickets in hand. Facing a low full toss from Trent Boult, Shashank played a drive toward mid-on and began ambling to the non-striker’s end. However, an alert Hardik Pandya pounced on the opportunity and hit the stumps with a direct throw. Replays showed Shashank was well short of his ground, and the TV umpire quickly ruled him out.
The run-out, which could have proved costly, clearly irked Iyer, who was seen reacting strongly after the match. Though he did not let the dismissal shift the momentum on the field, the captain’s frustration became evident once the game ended.
Shashank, who scored just 2 off 3 deliveries, looked visibly dejected while walking back to the dugout. His casual running came under scrutiny, especially as the team was in a tight run chase.
Despite the hiccup, Iyer’s calm under pressure and explosive hitting ensured that PBKS chased down 204 with five balls to spare. His innings, decorated with boundaries and fearless strokeplay, has already been dubbed one of the finest knocks of the season.
This marks a historic moment for the Punjab franchise, which last made it to the final in 2014 — then known as Kings XI Punjab — where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.
With little time to rest, PBKS now prepare to face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2025 Final, to be held at the same venue on June 3.