Punjab Kings set the IPL 2025 ablaze with a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad on March 25. With fireworks from captain Shreyas Iyer and debutant Priyansh Arya, Punjab posted a mammoth 243/5—one of the highest totals in IPL history. Gujarat Titans responded bravely with 232/5, but Punjab’s bowlers held their nerves in the death overs to secure a memorable win.
Let’s break down how this high-octane clash unfolded.
Shreyas Iyer Leads from the Front with a Captain’s Knock
Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer played a sensational innings, finishing unbeaten on 97 off 48 balls, missing his century by just three runs. He walked in early after Prabhsimran Singh’s dismissal and immediately took control of the innings. Shreyas unleashed a flurry of boundaries, combining elegant drives with audacious slogs.
He dominated Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, striking sixes over long-on and midwicket. In the 17th over, he smashed three sixes in four balls, lifting the run rate and putting Gujarat under serious pressure. Rabada and Siraj tried to contain him in the final overs, but Shreyas timed his shots perfectly to keep the scoreboard ticking.
He found an ideal partner in Shashank Singh, who blazed 44* off 16 balls at the death. Shashank cracked four fours and two sixes in the final over bowled by Siraj, helping Punjab close at a daunting 243.
Priyansh Arya Stuns in Debut with Explosive 47
Opening alongside Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, the young sensation from the Delhi Premier League, announced his arrival in style. He hammered 47 off 23 balls, setting the tone with aggressive strokeplay.
Priyansh flicked, pulled, and carved the ball across the ground, dispatching Siraj and Arshad Khan for multiple boundaries. He even launched Rashid Khan over long-on for a towering six. Although he missed his fifty by a whisker, his debut knock gave Punjab the perfect platform.
Gujarat Titans’ Response: A Spirited Chase Led by Sudharsan and Buttler
Chasing 244 was never going to be easy, but Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler refused to give in. After a cautious start, they began counterattacking. Sudharsan struck boundaries off Jansen, Chahal, and Maxwell, racing to a 41-ball 74 before Arshdeep dismissed him with a well-planned short ball.
Buttler followed with a stroke-filled 54 off 33 balls, taking on Vyshak and Jansen in the middle overs. However, his dismissal in the 18th over—chopping the ball onto his stumps—slowed Gujarat’s momentum at a crucial point.
Rutherford’s Late Blitz Almost Snatches the Game
With 75 needed off the final five overs, Sherfane Rutherford almost turned the game around. He smashed Vyshak for two sixes and followed up with more boundaries against Jansen and Maxwell. His clean hitting and calm approach brought the equation down to 27 off the last over.
But drama struck on the first ball of the final over.
Final Over Drama: Arshdeep Delivers Under Pressure
Punjab handed the ball to Arshdeep Singh for the final six balls. On the very first delivery, Rutherford drilled the ball straight back. It deflected off Arshdeep’s hand and crashed into the stumps, running out Rahul Tewatia at the non-striker’s end.
Rutherford smashed a six next ball, then ran two off the third. Gujarat now needed 19 off 3.
On the fourth ball, Rutherford attempted a big shot again but dragged it onto his stumps. His dismissal ended Gujarat’s hopes. Arshad Khan came in and rotated the strike. Shahrukh Khan smashed a final six, but it was too late. Punjab sealed a thrilling 11-run win.
Key Turning Points of the Match
- Priyansh’s fiery start: His 47 set the tone, allowing Shreyas Iyer to build the innings freely.
- Shreyas’s acceleration: His power-packed hitting between overs 14-18 turned the innings from strong to insurmountable.
- Rashid’s rare off day: Gujarat’s ace leggie gave away 44 runs in 4 overs and managed just one wicket.
- Buttler and Sudharsan’s partnership: The 91-run stand gave GT hope but their dismissals at critical moments hurt their chances.
- Arshdeep’s final over: Nailing the yorkers and executing the run-out under pressure proved the difference.
IPL 2025 Points Table: PBKS Opens Account, SRH Still on Top
With this win, Punjab Kings opened their IPL 2025 account in style. The updated points table shows Sunrisers Hyderabad sitting on top, with RCB second. Gujarat, despite the high-scoring fight, lost their second match and slipped in the standings.
IPL 2025 Points Table Snapshot (After GT vs PBKS):
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points |
| 1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | Punjab Kings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| — | Gujarat Titans | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer
No surprises here. Shreyas Iyer took the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 97 off 48 balls, guiding Punjab to one of their best-ever IPL totals.
What’s Next?
Punjab Kings will carry a lot of confidence into their next match. Their top order fired, the middle order contributed, and the bowlers held their nerve in a high-pressure situation.
Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, will go back to the drawing board. Their bowlers leaked runs, and despite some fantastic batting, they couldn’t close the game. With talents like Gill, Buttler, and Tewatia in their ranks, they’ll bounce back soon.
Final Thoughts
In a match filled with incredible batting, pressure bowling, last-over drama, and emerging stars, Punjab Kings showed the perfect balance of aggression and composure. The win not only boosts their morale but also announces them as serious contenders this season.
IPL 2025 has kicked off with a bang—and if this match is any indication, fans can buckle up for a season of unforgettable cricket.
