Shreyas Iyer’s 97 and Punjab’s bowling heroics seal 11-run win*
The IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans turned into a high-octane contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Punjab Kings, led by a spectacular knock from Shreyas Iyer, defeated Gujarat Titans by 11 runs in a nail-biting encounter.
Punjab’s batting blitz
Winning the toss and batting first, Punjab Kings put up a mammoth total of 243/5. Captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls, punishing Gujarat’s bowlers with clean hitting. Youngster Priyansh Arya impressed with a quickfire 47, while Shashank Singh’s explosive 44 off 16 balls ensured Punjab crossed the 240-mark.
Gujarat’s chase falls short
In response, Gujarat Titans put up a brave fight, reaching 232/5 in 20 overs. Sai Sudharsan anchored the innings with 74 runs, while Jos Buttler contributed 54. The Titans were in contention until the final overs, but Punjab’s bowlers held their nerve.
Maxwell’s unwanted record
Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell created an unwanted IPL record, registering his 19th duck, surpassing Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik. Attempting a risky reverse sweep, he was trapped LBW by Sai Kishore. Replays suggested he should have reviewed the decision, as the ball was missing the stumps.
Game-Changing moment
With Gujarat needing 40 off the last four overs, Vijaykumar Vyshak bowled a crucial 17th over, conceding just 5 runs, slowing down the chase. His intelligent variations proved decisive in Punjab’s win.
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 97 earned him the Player of the Match award. Speaking after the win, he said, “Starting the season with a win is always special. Our batting was aggressive, and the bowlers did their job under pressure.”
Captain’s take
- Punjab Kings Captain, Shreyas Iyer: “We executed our plans well. The team showed great character under pressure.”
- Gujarat Titans Captain, Shubman Gill: “We fought hard but fell short. The positives are there, and we’ll come back stronger.”
What’s next?
Punjab Kings will look to build on this strong start, while Gujarat Titans will need to regroup before their next game.
