Punjab Kings Clinch Top-Two Finish with Clinical Chase Against Mumbai Indians
In what was billed as a high-octane showdown between two of the most explosive batting lineups of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) emerged victorious over Mumbai Indians (MI) with a commanding seven-wicket win. This crucial victory not only cemented PBKS’s position in the top two of the points table but also gave them valuable momentum heading into the playoffs.
With both teams having already secured playoff berths, the clash at Eden Gardens was all about playoff positioning—particularly, who would grab the coveted top-two finish and the safety net of Qualifier 1. It was Punjab who rose to the occasion, while Mumbai faltered at the wrong moment.
Inglis-Arya Partnership Powers Punjab’s Commanding Chase
Chasing 185 for victory, Punjab Kings started on a cautious note. The early dismissal of the in-form Prabhsimran Singh could have rattled the visitors, but the young opening duo of Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis steadied the ship in style. The pair unleashed a counter-attack that MI’s bowlers struggled to contain.
Their 109-run stand was a blend of flair and precision. Arya dazzled with his strokeplay, racing to 62 off 35 deliveries, while Inglis was equally impactful, hammering 73 off just 42 balls. The duo capitalized on the powerplay and kept the required run rate in check, dismantling MI’s bowling plans with ease.
Although Mitchell Santner briefly brought Mumbai back into the contest by removing both set batters in quick succession, Shreyas Iyer ensured there were no last-minute jitters. The PBKS skipper played a captain’s knock, guiding his side home with an assured 26 off 16 balls*, as Punjab crossed the finish line with nine balls to spare, ending at 187/3.
Suryakumar’s Record-Breaker in Vain as MI Struggle for Rhythm
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Mumbai Indians’ innings never really hit full throttle. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton laid a modest platform, but the innings lacked the tempo needed for a truly imposing total.
It was once again Suryakumar Yadav who stepped up for Mumbai, crafting a fluent knock that not only anchored their innings but also saw him break a long-standing record—surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 15-year-old tally for most runs in a single IPL season for MI. His form continues to be a bright spark in an otherwise inconsistent campaign for the defending champions.
But the rest of MI’s batting faltered under pressure. Regular wickets, stifling middle overs, and disciplined bowling from PBKS ensured that MI were restricted to a sub-par 184/7.
Bowling Brilliance Sets Up Punjab’s Domination
The platform for Punjab’s chase was set up by their bowlers, who put in a well-rounded performance. Arshdeep Singh continued his strong season with a tidy spell, finishing with 2 for 28, while Marco Jansen used his height and bounce to good effect, picking up 2 for 34. The two pacers kept Mumbai’s big hitters quiet and ensured the Kings had the upper hand from the start.
What’s Next?
This win means that Punjab Kings have locked in a top-two finish, giving them two shots at making the final—first through Qualifier 1 against either RCB or GT, depending on the outcome of RCB’s clash with LSG. For Mumbai Indians, now pushed to third place, the road to the final becomes tougher. They will need to win Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to reach the summit clash—a path they’ve navigated before, but one that leaves no room for error.
As the league stage winds down, PBKS will be brimming with confidence. With their batting firing, their bowlers peaking, and key players in red-hot form, Punjab Kings look like genuine title contenders.
