[WATCH] IPL 2025: Jonny Bairstow smashes Kyle Jamieson for a massive six at Motera

With an early six from opener Jonny Bairstow, the Mumbai Indians (MI) got off to a good start in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. In the crucial IPL 2025 match, the five-time champions will face the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Shreyas Iyer, the captain of PBKS, won the toss and chose to bowl first, claiming that the bowlers would benefit from the covered pitch from the previous night.

However, in the second over of the innings, Jonny Bairstow took full advantage of a free delivery from Kyle Jamieson as he came out to bat.

A hitter loves this type of delivery, as the short-of-length ball that glided down the leg side fell exactly in his arc. For the first maximum of the evening, the wicketkeeper-batter hit the ball into the Ahmedabad stands with a pick-up shot. After impressing everyone in the elimination match against Gujarat Titans (GT), the English international, who was only signed to play for the team in the playoffs, sought to bring that same energy to Motera.

Rain break? No problem!#JonnyBairstow picked up right where he left off, punishing the short ball in sight! 💥

Will he set the tone again with another sparkling start for #MI? 👀🔥

LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/ojL4yAtejV #IPLPlayoffs | #Qualifier2 | #PBKSvMI on Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/J0OwpZanif

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 1, 2025

Musheer Khan was replaced in the playing XI by Yuzvendra Chahal for PBKS. MI replaced Richard Gleeson, who was sidelined because of a hamstring injury he suffered in the Eliminator match, with left-arm bowler Reece Topley.

The significance of this knockout match for both organisations is enormous. MI will concentrate on winning the game in order to advance to the final, as they are seeking for their sixth IPL crown. After 11 arduous seasons, PBKS has made it to the IPL playoffs and is vying for their first IPL championship.

The victor of this match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who advanced to the finals after defeating PBKS in the Qualifier 1 in New Chandigarh, in the grand championship on Tuesday, June 3, at the same location.