IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Triumphs with All-round Display Over Gujarat Titans
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Synopsis
Punjab Kings secured an impressive 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans, led by Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 97 runs. With notable contributions from Arya and Singh, they set a challenging total of 243 runs. Despite a brave effort from Sudarshan, Gujarat fell short in their chase, adding excitement to the IPL 2025 season.
Key Takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer scored 97 runs for Punjab Kings.
- Punjab set a total of 243 runs in their innings.
- Gujarat Titans managed 232 runs in response.
- Significant innings from Sai Sudarshan (74) and Jos Buttler (54).
- Punjab's bowlers maintained discipline in the death overs.
Ahmedabad, March 25 (NationPress) The Punjab Kings showcased an impressive all-round display to kick off their 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) journey with an 11-run victory against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
The captain of Punjab, Shreyas Iyer, contributed an unbeaten 97 runs along with significant inputs from Priyansh Arya and Shashank Singh, allowing the team to set a formidable total of 243/5 in their allotted 20 overs after being invited to bat first by the Gujarat Titans. In pursuit of 244 runs, captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan faced initial challenges against the potent bowling duo of Arshdeep Singh and Azmatullah Omarzai before Gill accelerated his innings to match the climbing required run rate.
In a surprising turn, Glenn Maxwell, who had just broken the record for the most ducks in IPL history, managed to take the first wicket in the final over of the powerplay, catching Gill's edge that soared to cover point.
Making his debut for the Gujarat Titans after a long stint with the Rajasthan Royals, Jos Buttler took a cautious approach through the middle overs while allowing Sudharsan to challenge the Punjab bowlers. After a slow start, Sudharsan exploded into action, scoring his seventh IPL half-century in just 31 balls. He accelerated to reach 74 runs, featuring five fours and six sixes, before succumbing to Arshdeep.
Gujarat decided to deploy their Impact Player, Sherfane Rutherford, who made a dramatic entrance by hitting two sixes and a four off Marcus Stoinis. With 70 runs needed from 30 deliveries, Punjab's death bowling was exceptional, limiting the Titans to just 12 runs in the next two overs. Buttler, after scoring his 20th half-century, was dismissed by Marco Jansen, leaving Rahul Tewatia with an uphill battle.
Ultimately, the Titans were left with too many runs and too few deliveries to mount a comeback. Tewatia was dismissed on the very first ball he faced, and Rutherford’s straight shot deflected onto the stumps. Arshdeep's wicket-taking ability sealed the victory for Punjab.
In the opening innings, debutant Priyansh Arya made a strong impression in his IPL career, benefitting from a dropped catch by Arshad Khan early on, and aggressively challenged the Gujarat bowlers following the early loss of Prabhsimran Singh.
Alongside Iyer, Arya attacked the bowling, including a massive 21 runs off Arshad in the fifth over. However, Shubman Gill relied on his key spinner, Rashid Khan, who delivered a critical breakthrough. Arya, attempting to hit big off Rashid's fourth delivery in the seventh over, got a top edge, which was easily caught by Arshad.
The introduction of Sai Kishore marked a pivotal moment for the Titans. After conceding only two runs in his initial over, he claimed the wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai and followed up by trapping Maxwell LBW on the very next delivery. After consulting with his skipper, the all-rounder decided against a review, with replays indicating the ball was missing the stumps.
Nonetheless, Iyer countered Gujarat’s resurgence by forming a 57-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis before Kishore dismissed the latter. Iyer and Shashank Singh continued their assault, building a swift 71-run partnership off just 28 balls.
As Iyer remained stranded at 97, Shashank hit five boundaries in the final over, finishing with an unbeaten 44 runs off just 16 balls, while Iyer fell short of his maiden IPL century by three runs.
Brief scores:
Punjab Kings 243/5 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 97*, Priyansh Arya 47; Sai Kishore 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 1-41, Rashid Khan 1-48) beat Gujarat Titans 232/5 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharshan 74, Jos Buttler 54, Sherfane Rutherford 46; Arshdeep Singh 2-36, Marco Jansen 2-44) by 11 runs
