PBKS defeated MI by seven wickets in Match 69 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, guaranteeing their spot in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1.
PBKS easily chased a goal of 185 runs thanks to an incredible 109-run combination between Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya. The team’s home stadium at Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, will now host their opponent on May 30.
The Mumbai Indians will now play in the Eliminator, while Punjab Kings will now play in Qualifier 1.
Talking Points
1. SKY’s reliability never ceases to amaze
MI reached 184 thanks to a 39-ball 57 from Suryakumar Yadav earlier in the innings, which was his record 14th consecutive score of 25 or more in T20s. The 33-year-old steadied the batting after taking early wickets, and in the final overs, he was assisted by Naman Dhir and Pandya (26 off 15).
2. The hard show by the PBKS bowlers
The PBKS bowlers ensured that MI didn’t surpass 200 by grabbing two vital wickets close to the end, Arshdeep Singh’s penultimate over going for only three runs with two wickets to his record, and Vijaykumar Vyashak’s two wickets. With this win, PBKS secured a top-two finish and will now compete in Qualifier 1. MI will now show up in the Eliminator, however.
3. The much-needed collaboration between Josh Inglis and Priyansh Arya
When the PBKS hitters took the pitch, their goal was to win the game. Josh Inglis (73 off 43) and Priyansh Arya (62 off 35) combined for 109 runs, ensuring that PBKS qualified for Qualifier 1. Following Prabhsimrah Singh’s early exit from Jasprit Bumrah’s over, Singh entered the game and struck three sixes and nine boundaries. On the other hand, Priyansh Arya hit two sixes and nine fours.
Who Said What?
Shreyas Iyer, PBKS skipper
I personally feel everyone stepped up at the right time. We have been in that mindset that we have to win no matter what situation. Kudos to everyone and the management. Ricky has been fantastic, and for me it was about gaining the trust of every individual. And that happened by winning matches, and I personally feel we need to maintain that relationship throughout. When you are down in the dumps, it is easy to backstab each other. (On Priyansh Arya) The way he started was fabulous.
It was pleasing to the eye and every individual has been fearless. They tick the boxes in the net sessions and the reflection of it is seen on the ground. (On Josh Inglis) He loves playing the new ball, and I wanted him to play more deliveries. And I know he can be disruptive, he is a big match player. Hope he continues the same way. We have a camaraderie from the last few years, he (Ponting) lets me be decisive on the field, all these things have culminated in a great way. Ecstatic that everything is working.
Hardik Pandya, MI skipper
The way the wicket played, we were definitely 20 runs short. That happens, we’ve been playing really good cricket, this was one of the days where we really couldn’t play our best cricket and that costed us. IPL is like that, this franchisee has won five trophies, it has always been tough. Anytime if you take the leg off the accelerator, the other teams are also very keen to win the games. The message would be simple, this was just a blip, learn from this and look forward for the knockouts.
It’s too fresh, we’ll identify later but as an overall batting unit, we were definitely 20 runs short. We could have capitalised either in the start or in the middle, we’ll figure it out post the game. (Karn a batter choice as the Impact Player in hindsight?) Not really, I back Ashwani, we back Ashwani, that has been the plan throughout the season. We have played with the leggie and the quick. Today we felt on this wicket that it’ll work, that’s fine. (Did batting get better in the second half?) It would be same, I don’t think much difference.
They really played good cricket, those two batters, the second wicket stand was outstanding. They really took on certain balls whenever we erred and I don’t think as a bowling unit we were clinical, we gave some balls which they really capitalised and on certain times, they played some good shots as well. Overall, we were not up to the mark and that costed us.
(On the Eliminator) Overall, play good cricket, bat well, bowl well, work on the plans, see what is the template which will work as a batting group. Bowlers have been doing really well throughout the season. Batting, we’ll figure out what is the right template on right tracks and if we bat first, what is the pace we want to bat. Couple of things which we need to identify, but I don’t think much panic. We knew what was at stake. Looking forward for the Eliminator.
Josh Inglis, Player of the Match
The left-right partnership really helped with the short boundary, and it was about playing smart cricket. Didn’t want to let things slip in the middle overs. Would have been nice if one of us stayed till the end. (On Santner) I have faced a lot of Mitch, he is a very smart bowler. We both knew what we were trying to do to each other. It was a bit of cat and mouse with that shorter boundary. (On Priyansh Arya) I don’t have to say much to him, it was nice batting with him.
He was picking his match-ups and balls. (On Shreyas letting him bat at 3) I don’t think he’s too happy but I certainly am. As he said, I was moving around and I struggled for a bit of rhythm. Feels nicer to be batting here, got a bit of momentum going. (On if he does everything quickly) I don’t run too quick, that’s the beauty of being someone of my size, I haven’t got the power of the other guys so I have to run hard and use my smarts.