In the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 matchup, Mumbai Indians faced Punjab Kings. MI batted first, scoring 203/6 in 20 overs with the help of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who both finished with 44 runs (Suryakumar off 26 balls and Tilak off 29 balls). Jonny Bairstow also chipped in, scoring 38 runs off 24 balls. MI unfortunately did not finish their innings well, leaving them with a total of 203 runs that could have been higher. PBKS bowler Azmatullah Omarzai took 2/43 off 4 overs, while Marcus Stoinis (1/14) and Kyle Jamieson (1/30) chipped in with a wicket in their 4 overs.

PBKS chased down 204 runs with a score of 207/5 in 19 overs, with Shreyas Iyer, who scored 87* runs off 41 balls, leading the way for PBKS along with Nehal Wadhera, who scored 48 runs off 29 balls, and Josh Inglis, who scored 38 runs off 21 balls. MI Ashwani Kumar took 2/55 off 4 overs, while those MI bowlers Hardik Pandya (1/19) and Trent Boult (1/38) kept a wicket each off their 4 overs. MI’s death bowling was the key reason for MI’s defeat. Therefore, MI’s loss set MI’s investment in the IPL for 2025 at stake as PBKS advanced to the IPL 2025 Final.

1. Shreyas Iyer's match winning knock

Shreyas Iyer produced a blistering innings, making 87 from just 41 deliveries. His timing was impeccable, and his shot selection kept the momentum with Punjab Kings throughout the chase. He ensured that the required run rate remained in check with timely boundaries and good strike rotation. He was so calm under pressure and ensured that his team did not feel panic in crucial moments. This well-paced innings was the basis for Punjab’s successful chase.

Also Read: IPL 2025, Qualifier 2: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Full Match Highlights

2. Ineffective death bowling by MI

Mumbai Indians never really found a way to halt the free flow of runs in the final overs, regardless of how early inroads were made. Their death bowling lacked both control and discipline, allowing Punjab Kings to score more than 60 runs in just the last 5 overs. Even seasoned operators such as Trent Boult went at more than 10 runs per over, belatedly conceding 38 runs in just his spell. Accepting runs in this manner in this way was exposed by MI’s inability to execute yorkers and slower balls in a pressured environment and proved to be very costly. To cap it off, MI failed to put the finishing touch at the most critical stage.

3. Lack of a big finish in MI innings

Although MI made a competitive 203/6, their batting wasn’t fast enough in the final set of balls to make it virtually impossible to chase down. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma did well, but their individual efforts lacked the capacity for maximum impact. The loss of wickets in the death overs stalled the scoring rate just when a 220+ target seemed achievable. Punjab’s disciplined bowling in the final phase curtailed MI’s momentum. This gave Punjab a realistic chance to chase down the target successfully.