Shreyas Iyer Fined IPL 2025 After PBKS Reach Final
1. Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings Storm into IPL 2025 Final
Punjab Kings scripted history in Ahmedabad on Sunday night, defeating Mumbai Indians by five wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2. With this sensational victory, PBKS entered the IPL final for only the second time in their history — the last being in 2014. This time, under the inspiring leadership of Shreyas Iyer, the franchise will challenge Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the grand finale on Tuesday, June 3.
2. Captain Iyer’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Chasing a stiff target of 204 runs, it was none other than captain Shreyas Iyer who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, smashing eight sixes in a breathtaking innings. Iyer played like a man on a mission, keeping composure while unleashing fury when needed.
His calmness in pressure situations and brutal hitting ensured that PBKS crossed the finish line with an over to spare, proving once again why he remains one of India’s finest T20 batters.
3. Inglis and Wadhera Provide the Launchpad
Earlier in the chase, Josh Inglis made a big impact by smashing 38 runs off just 21 balls, including a memorable over where he took 20 runs off Jasprit Bumrah — a key moment in the chase. Following his dismissal, Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29 balls) stepped up and stitched a game-changing 84-run partnership with Iyer in 7.5 overs, which broke Mumbai’s back.
The Iyer-Wadhera stand gave Punjab the upper hand, and from there, the outcome seemed inevitable.
4. Mumbai Indians Post a Competitive Total
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Mumbai Indians managed to score 203/6 in their 20 overs — a total they would have considered defendable. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 44 runs each, forming the backbone of Mumbai’s innings.
While MI lost Rohit Sharma early for just 8 runs, Jonny Bairstow provided some momentum with a quickfire 38 off 24 balls, building a 51-run stand with Tilak. Later, Tilak and SKY forged a 72-run partnership that brought stability in the middle overs.
In the death overs, Naman Dhir’s explosive 37 off 18 balls gave the total a strong finish.
5. PBKS Bowlers Strike at Crucial Intervals
While conceding 203, the Punjab Kings bowlers didn’t allow Mumbai to fully dominate. Azmatullah Omarzai stood out with figures of 2/43, picking up important wickets and keeping MI in check during the middle overs.
Among others, Yuzvendra Chahal (1/39), Vyshak Vijaykumar (1/30), and Kyle Jamieson (1/30) chipped in with key breakthroughs that prevented MI from accelerating in the final overs.
6. BCCI Hands Shreyas Iyer a Hefty Fine for Slow Over Rate
Despite leading his team into the final, Shreyas Iyer didn’t escape the scrutiny of match officials. The BCCI slapped a fine of Rs 24 lakh on Iyer for maintaining a slow over rate — a violation of the IPL Code of Conduct.
This marked PBKS’s third over-rate offence this season, triggering an automatic financial penalty under the tournament’s disciplinary rules. Additionally, all other playing XI members (including the Impact Player) were fined Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever is lower.
7. Hardik Pandya Also Penalized
Interestingly, the over-rate offence wasn’t exclusive to PBKS. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was also found guilty of the same and fined Rs 30 lakh. The rest of the Mumbai playing XI weren’t spared either — they were fined Rs 12 lakh or 50% of their match fees, whichever is lower.
This double punishment highlights the IPL’s strict stance on maintaining the pace of play, especially during the high-stakes playoff phase.
8. A Historic Night for Punjab Kings
This victory means more than just a final berth for Punjab. It breaks a decade-long wait since their only previous final in 2014, when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. Now, they have a golden opportunity to claim their first IPL title ever.
The turnaround under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy has been remarkable, with solid performances across all departments. With a perfect blend of experience and youth, PBKS now look like a team destined for glory.
9. Clash of the Titans: PBKS vs RCB Final Awaits
With Punjab Kings advancing, IPL 2025 will crown a new champion as they face RCB, who are also chasing their first-ever title. The final on June 3 is set to be an epic contest, especially given the kind of form both sides have shown in the playoffs.
Shreyas Iyer’s form, supported by Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, and a well-balanced bowling attack, makes PBKS a formidable side. On the other hand, RCB’s charge has been led by Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Mohammed Siraj — promising a high-octane finale.
10. Conclusion: A Win Overshadowed by Fine, But Momentum Remains with PBKS
While the fine on Shreyas Iyer has grabbed headlines, it doesn’t take away from the heroics he displayed on the field. His captain’s knock of 87 not out will be remembered as one of the finest in playoff history.
Punjab Kings will now head into the final with sky-high confidence and the hope of lifting their maiden IPL trophy. For now, the focus shifts to Ahmedabad once again, where a new IPL champion will be crowned in what promises to be a historic night.
