Shreyas Iyer's captain's knock saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) gun down Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 which helped them secure a spot in grand finale, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). PBKS made it to the IPL final after an eleven-year hiatus. The last time Punjab Kings reached the final was in 2014, where they were defeated by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Chasing a formidable total of 203/6, Punjab Kings found themselves at 72/3 in the eighth over. However, Iyer's sensational yet unbeaten knock of 87 runs from just 41 balls, which was decorated with five fours and eight sixes, turned the tide. Nehal Wadhera (48 runs) and Josh Inglis (38 runs) also came handy in PBKS' stunning win. But it was Shreyas Iyer who snatched the game from MI's jaws and wrapped up the chase with six balls to spare.
Meanwhile, it will be an all-red affair in the IPL 2025 final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with Punjab Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Interestingly, neither team has ever lifted the IPL trophy, guaranteeing a new champion this season. This marks Iyer's second consecutive IPL final, as he previously guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in IPL 2024.
Shreyas Iyer's crucial message for teammates ahead of PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 final
PBKS will look to avenge their loss against RCB in the IPL 2025 final. Notably, PBKS suffered a humiliating 8-wicket defeat against RCB in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Right after the match, Shreyas Iyer has a message for his teammates before facing RCB in the IPL 2025 final. He wants his team to just go recover, get a massage and be in the right space.
"I am just staying in the moment, cherish the situation, go to the dressing room and celebrate with teammates getting into the final. But in my mind the job was only half done so I don't want to think too much about the final. Just go recover, get a massage and be in the right mind space," Shreyas, who was adjudged the player of the match for his robust knock, said at the post-match presentation.
What a captain Shreyas Iyer has been as he has now led three different teams to IPL finals. He led DC to IPL final in 2020, KKR in 2024, and PBKS in 2025 as no other player has done it for more than one team.