The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have confirmed their spot in the top two of the IPL 2025 league stage, with a commanding victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 26, 2025. The win means PBKS will now play in Qualifier 1 of the playoffs on May 29 with high confidence and momentum.

Dominant Chase: PBKS Make Light Work of MI

Chasing a competitive target of 185 runs, the Punjab Kings made light work of the task by cruising to victory with seven wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. The innings was built on the shoulders of a brilliant 109-run partnership between Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya, who both played masterful innings on a pitch that appeared a bit tricky early on.

Despite losing an early wicket in Prabhsimran Singh, the two batsmen steadied the innings and maintained a strong run rate to keep Punjab ahead. The Mumbai Indians tried to fight back when Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket of Arya in the 15th over and Mitchell Santner dismissed Inglis soon after. However, the platform was set, and with just a manageable target left, Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera confidently guided the team home. Iyer capped off the win with a well-timed six, underlining his leadership with a winning shot.

Punjab Kings’ Playoff Journey and Historical Context

This win marks the third time Punjab Kings have finished in the top two during the league stages of the IPL. Their previous top-two finishes came in the inaugural 2008 season, where they lost the semi-final to Chennai Super Kings, and in 2014, where they finished first but lost the final to Kolkata Knight Riders. With this performance, PBKS are poised to potentially go one better and secure their maiden IPL title.

Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav Breaks Record

While the Mumbai Indians lost the match, their star batsman Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) continued his extraordinary run of form. SKY scored a well-compiled 57 runs, helping MI reach a competitive total of 184/7.

Suryakumar Yadav also created history by breaking the world record for most consecutive scores of 25 or more in T20 cricket, notching his 14th straight innings with 25+ runs. This feat surpassed the previous record held by South African batsman Temba Bavuma, who had 13 consecutive innings. SKY reached this milestone in the ninth over with a four off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling, continuing to demonstrate his consistency and class in the shortest format.

Match Highlights

• PBKS chased 185 with ease, winning by 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare.

• Josh Inglis (masterful innings) and Priyansh Arya (62 runs) forged a crucial 109-run partnership.

• Shreyas Iyer sealed the win with a winning six.

• Mumbai Indians scored 184/7, led by Suryakumar Yadav’s 57 runs.

• Suryakumar Yadav set a world record for consecutive 25+ scores in T20 cricket.

What Lies Ahead for Punjab Kings

With the top-two finish secured, Punjab Kings will play in Qualifier 1 on May 29, earning the advantage of two shots at the IPL final. The team will now prepare to host their opponents at their home venue in Mullanpur, banking on their strong batting line-up and disciplined bowling attack.

The absence of Marco Jansen, who will leave to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, may be felt. However, the emergence of players like Kyle Jamieson in the recent match shows the team’s depth going into the high-stakes playoff matches.

Conclusion

Punjab Kings’ clinical performance against Mumbai Indians confirmed their strong credentials in IPL 2025. The blend of youth and experience, led masterfully by Shreyas Iyer, has helped them end the league stage with a bang and put themselves in a prime position to challenge for the title.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will look to regroup after a valiant effort highlighted by Suryakumar Yadav’s record-breaking batting streak. The IPL playoffs promise to be thrilling, with Punjab Kings poised to be among the favourites heading into Qualifier 1.

The stage is set for some exciting cricket in the coming days as teams vie for glory in IPL 2025.

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