Big Picture: A Thrilling Knockout Awaits
After 72 intense matches and two challenging months of cricket — with plenty of travel and a break in between — IPL 2025 has come down to just three teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI). RCB have already booked their spot in the final, while MI and PBKS will face off in a high-stakes Qualifier 2 on Sunday to decide who joins them.
It’s a classic showdown: five-time champions Mumbai Indians versus a hungry Punjab Kings squad chasing their first-ever IPL title. Expect sparks to fly with Hardik Pandya taking on Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah clashing with Arshdeep Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav matching up against Josh Inglis. Add Trent Boult vs Kyle Jamieson to the mix, and you’ve got a knockout match that promises fireworks.
Different Roads to Qualifier 2
The journeys of these two teams couldn’t be more different. Back in mid-April, Mumbai Indians were struggling near the bottom of the table, managing just one win from five games. But true to their legacy, they staged an impressive comeback to storm into the playoffs — and then knocked out Gujarat Titans on Friday to keep their hopes alive.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, dominated the league phase, finishing at the top of the points table. But their momentum took a hit in Qualifier 1 when RCB handed them a tough defeat in New Chandigarh.
Finishing in the top two comes with a huge advantage — another chance to make the final. PBKS earned this shot by beating MI earlier this week in Jaipur. Now, a win against MI on Sunday would finally hand them their maiden IPL trophy.
Batting Styles: Youthful Firepower vs. Experienced Grit
PBKS have an unusual but exciting setup: four uncapped Indian batsmen in their top seven. Coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer have unleashed this young talent, turning PBKS into a heavy-hitting lineup that has crossed 200 runs in nearly half their matches. Their aggressive style didn’t quite click on New Chandigarh’s tricky pitch, which favored seam bowling and uneven bounce, but it could prove deadly on the more predictable surfaces in Ahmedabad.
MI’s batting, by contrast, is anchored by seasoned internationals with only one uncapped player in the top seven. After Ryan Rickelton’s exit, Jonny Bairstow stepped up brilliantly on debut, setting the foundation for their big totals. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have been the power hitters in the middle order. But it’s Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional bowling that truly sets MI apart, often turning the final overs into their biggest weapon.
Despite injury setbacks like Deepak Chahar’s hamstring issue and challenges like the dew factor in the Eliminator, Bumrah has remained unshakeable — famously bowling Washington Sundar with a perfect yorker. Can PBKS find a way to silence him this Sunday?
Players to Watch: Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya
Shreyas Iyer’s form has been under the microscope. In Qualifier 1, a mistimed shot led to his dismissal and triggered PBKS’s collapse in New Chandigarh. This season, he’s struggled, scoring just 27 runs in five innings there. But the flatter pitches expected in Ahmedabad should suit his aggressive style. Iyer has smashed 31 sixes this season, ranking just behind a few top hitters like Suryakumar Yadav and Nicholas Pooran.
Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, has evolved his game this IPL. When he captained Gujarat Titans, he was more of a stabilizer, but this season for MI, he’s been a true finisher. Between overs 17 and 20, Hardik has blasted 109 runs off 53 balls at a blistering strike rate of over 205 — second only to Heinrich Klaasen among players with at least 50 balls faced in this death overs phase.
Both teams have plenty of hitting power down the order, which has allowed leaders like Shreyas and Hardik to play with more freedom this season.
Key stats
-Chahal has the wood over both Bairstow and Suryakumar in the IPL. The legspinner has dismissed Bairstow four times in six IPL innings while keeping him to 29 off 35 balls. Chahal has also limited Suryakumar to 83 off 71 balls while dismissing him three times in the IPL.
-Bumrah has dominated Marcus Stoinis in the IPL. The match-up reads: 28 runs, 36 balls, three wickets.
-Rohit Sharma has made four 50-plus scores in an IPL season for the first time since 2016.
-Iyer is one away from 50 wins as IPL captain.
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