struggling Hardik Pandya following PBKS loss; Bumrah's heartfelt gesture towards him steals the show, watch here
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Down on His Knees: Pandya's Grief Unveiled as Punjab Kings March to the Finals
When Iyer blasted the decisive six to seal a berth in the championship, Pandya hit rock bottom, visibly emotional. His despair was palpable as the gravity of the loss settled in.
By Apurwa Amit
Last Updated: Jun 2, 2025, 7:00 AM IST
It's been a decade since the Punjab Kings (PBKS) booked a ticket to the IPL finals, and this time, they made it happen in style. Powered by the awe-inspiring, undefeated 87 off just 41 deliveries from skipper Shreyas Iyer, the Kings knocked out five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians (MI), in the Qualifier 2. Chasing a formidable target of 204, Iyer's extraordinary performance, marked by eight towering sixes, propelled Punjab to an emphatic five-wicket victory with six balls still to spare. This win orchestrates an exhilarating title clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, ensuring a fresh IPL champion in the league's 18th season.
The defeat was a bruising blow for MI captain Hardik Pandya. In the heat of the moment, Iyer delivered the fatal blow, reducing Pandya to a kneeling, desolate figure. As the enormity of the loss dawned on him, he laid undisturbed until teammate Jasprit Bumrah arrived to lift him gently, leading him through the bittersweet post-match formalities.
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Pandya wasn't shy about praising Iyer for his stellar performance under pressure. "The way Iyer batted, took his chances, and executed some of the jaw-dropping shots, was truly spectacular. I think they definitely batted superbly," Pandya observed during the post-match presentation.
PBKS' chase began on a somber note, but the resilient Josh Inglis took it upon himself to turn things around, scoring a quickfire 38 off 21 balls from an unforgettable over against Bumrah. This shift in momentum paved the way for a dramatic surge, which Nehal Wadhera and Iyer took advantage of effectively.
Their massive 84-run partnership in 7.5 overs propelled Punjab into the driver's seat, with Wadhera contributing 48 off 29 balls to support Iyer's relentless onslaught at the other end. Once he found his groove, Iyer smoothly accelerated, sealing the game with a ball to spare.
Earlier in the evening, Mi posted a competitive total of 203/6, thanks to solid contributions from the middle order. Following Bairstow's fiery 38 at the top, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav steady the ship with tasteful knocks of 44 each. The pair's 72-run partnership for the third wicket laid the groundwork, before Naman Dhir's electrifying 18-ball 37 provided the finishing touches.
However, Punjab's bowling unit, led by Chahal, Jamieson, and Vyshak, landed crucial blows, denying MI the opportunity to dominate the contest entirely. Ultimately, Iyer's exceptional batting performance set the stage for an unforgettable victory that catapulted Punjab into the final.
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- Hardik Pandya
- PBKS
- Jasprit Bumrah
- IPL 2025
- Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, conceded admiration for Iyer's batting prowess under pressure, stating that the Punjab Kings batsman batted superbly during the post-match presentation. After the defeat, Jasprit Bumrah, a teammate of Pandya, lifted him gently after the bittersweet post-match formalities, indicating that the loss had visibly affected Pandya.
In the midst of buzz surrounding the IPL 2025 championship, Bollywood is also making headlines as deep-rooted cricket fan and actor, Ranveer Singh, attended the post-match presentation, showcasing his unfaltering support for the Punjab Kings, a team he owns a portion of.
