IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Historic Road To The Final. Punjab Kings have made a comeback in the 18th IPL season, advancing to their second-ever final after an 11-year hiatus. In doing so, they have gone from underachievers to sincere title contenders under the calmness of Captain Shreyas Iyer and Coach Ricky Ponting.
PBKS IPL 2025 Season Overview
PBKS topped the league stage, finishing first with 19 points from 14 matches, just ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on net run rate. This stellar performance gave them direct entry into Qualifier 1. They, however, lost that match against RCB but made the most of their second chance in Qualifier 2 to beat Mumbai Indians (MI) to enter the final.
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PBKS Road to IPL 2025 Final
Kings started their journey with a thrilling win over the Gujarat Titans. It was a series of last-over drama, with Shashank Singh scoring 23 runs in the final over to win the match for his team. Against KKR, in a low-scoring match, PBKS were bowled out for just 111. They defended the score by 16 runs, which was the lowest score ever defended.
Despite ruling over the league phase, PBKS suffered another setback against RCB in Qualifier 1, getting bowled out for just 101 runs. However, it only seemed to strengthen their resolve. In a nail-biting match, PBKS set a record for the highest-ever IPL playoff chase by chasing down an imposing target of 204 runs. Right from the get-go, Captain Shreyas Iyer starred with a blistering unbeaten 87 from 41 balls to guide the team to a five-wicket win and their inaugural final ticket.
Key Performers for PBKS
Shreyas Iyer (Captain): Iyer has remained the backbone of the PBKS batting so far this season, amassing 603 runs. His unbeaten 87 off 41 balls against MI in Qualifier 2 was crucial for chasing down a stiff target of 204.
Nehal Wadhera: This youngster all-rounder was key to victory in Qualifier 2, lofting 48 from 29 amid the charge alongside Iyer to conquer.
Arshdeep Singh: In the lead bowling captaincy, Arshdeep has blistered 18 wickets throughout 16 matches, carving crucial breakthroughs all season.
Also Read: IPL 2025: RCB Road To Final, Fourth Final Appearance Sealed With An Emphatic Win Over PBKS
Punjab will clash with RCB in the IPL 2025 final that will take place on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This is a historic battle as both teams fight for their very first IPL title. With game momentum and crucial players in its favor, PBKS aims for an inaugural crown and a name in the annals of IPL history.
