Punjab Kings Team. (Photo Source: IPL/X)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) confirmed their spot in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 brilliantly, as they defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by seven wickets in Match 69 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chasing a target of 185, PBKS made the run chase look easy, thanks to an impressive 109-run stand between Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis, and the side now awaits its opponent on Friday, May 30 at their home ground in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
After Jasprit Bumrah removed Prabhsimran Singh early, it looked like MI were in for another win. However, Inglis and Arya stabilized the innings. The Australian batter hammered a half-century off just 29 balls, while Arya followed suit with a 27-ball fifty.
Notably, Arya, dropped on 37 by Hardik Pandya, made the most of the chance. The Southpaw eventually fell for 62, and later Inglis found himself back in the dressing room after a 42-ball 73. PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer made sure there were no challenges ahead and took his side over the line, confirming a top-two finish and a shot at a direct entry into the IPL final.
Earlier, MI’s innings was anchored by Suryakumar Yadav’s 39-ball 57, his record 14th consecutive score of 25 or more in T20s, to post 184. The 33-year-old steadied the innings after early wickets and found support in Pandya (26 off 15) and Naman Dhir during the final overs.
PBKS bowlers ensured MI didn’t push the total over 200, with Arshdeep Singh’s final over going for just three runs and Marco Jansen picking two important wickets towards the fag end. With this win, PBKS are assured of a top-two finish and will play in Qualifier 1. Meanwhile, MI are now set to feature in the Eliminator. The final playoff positions will be confirmed after Tuesday’s game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants. A win for RCB will schedule them a clash with PBKS in Qualifier 1.
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