Ahmedabad, June 1: Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 203 for 6 in their 20 overs, powered by twin knocks of 44 runs each from Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Put into bat first, MI were off to a jittery start as skipper Rohit Sharma fell early for 8, caught by Vyshak off Marcus Stoinis in the third over.
However, Jonny Bairstow picked up the pace soon after, crafting a quickfire 38 off 24 deliveries laced with three fours and two sixes.
Bairstow added 51 runs with Tilak Varma for the second wicket before edging one behind to Josh Inglis off Vyshak Vijaykumar at the end of the powerplay.
The southpaw Tilak, looking composed, then stitched a fluent 72-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, keeping the scoreboard ticking with elegant shots all around the ground.
Both Tilak and Surya were dismissed in the space of two deliveries in the 14th over, halting MI’s momentum briefly.
Tilak was caught by Priyansh Arya off Kyle Jamieson, while Suryakumar was snapped up by Nehal Wadhera off Yuzvendra Chahal. Surya’s 44 came off just 26 balls, featuring four boundaries and three maximums, while Tilak’s 29-ball knock included five fours and two sixes.
Just when Punjab looked to tighten the screws, Naman Dhir unleashed a whirlwind 37 off 18 balls, peppering the boundary with seven crisp hits.
He was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over, caught by Stoinis off Omarzai, but not before propelling Mumbai past the 200-run mark. Hardik Pandya chipped in with 15, and Raj Bawa remained unbeaten on 8.
For Punjab, Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler, returning figures of 2 for 43, while Vyshak (1/30), Jamieson (1/30), Chahal (1/39) and Stoinis (1/14 in 1 over) also claimed a wicket each.
However, all bowlers were taken to task on a flat batting deck under the afternoon sun.
Mumbai’s aggressive batting display has set up an exciting chase for Punjab Kings, who now require 204 runs to book a place in the IPL 2025 final.
With the batters stepping up when it mattered the most, Mumbai Indians have not only put a formidable total on the board but also laid down a statement of intent in this high-pressure knockout clash. The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium offered little assistance to the bowlers, and Mumbai made the most of it, capitalising on the powerplay, rotating strike smartly in the middle overs, and launching a calculated assault during the death.
The innings, though lacking a big individual score, was a perfect example of collective responsibility. Each of the top and middle-order batters played their role with clarity and intent. Jonny Bairstow provided the spark up front, Tilak Varma brought the stability and elegance through the middle, while Suryakumar Yadav’s audacious strokeplay gave the innings a much-needed lift. And just when it looked like Punjab might claw their way back, Naman Dhir’s fearless hitting in the death overs proved to be the final flourish that pushed Mumbai past the psychological 200-run mark.
It’s worth noting how Mumbai navigated the middle phase, especially after losing Rohit early. Their ability to build partnerships under pressure, maintain a healthy run rate, and then explode towards the end reflects their experience in playing high-stakes games.
The timing of their acceleration was equally crucial — the 72-run stand between Tilak and Surya ensured the scoreboard kept moving without relying solely on boundaries. It also allowed Naman Dhir and Hardik Pandya to walk in with a platform ready to launch from.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings will be disappointed with their bowling performance, particularly with how they allowed Mumbai to regain momentum even after two quick wickets in the 14th over. While Omarzai managed to break through twice and bowl a couple of tight overs, the others struggled to maintain control. Chahal, though economical at times, lacked penetration. The pitch certainly didn’t offer much grip or bounce, but Punjab’s plans seemed to falter under Mumbai’s counterpunches.
As the teams head into the break, all eyes will now be on Punjab’s famed batting unit. With 204 runs needed to qualify for the grand finale, the onus lies on their top-order to fire in unison. (PTI)
