Picture : IPL / X
Punjab Kings held their nerves and beat Gujarat Titans by 11 runs in Tata IPL 2025 encounter at the Narendra Modi stadium. It was a high- scoring encounter.
Earlier , Gujarat Titans Skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first . Punjab Kings were off to a flying start with the young and talented Priyansh Arya leading the charge as opener with series of stunning shots . The intent was clear – go hard . Priyansh Arya scored an entertaining 47 ( 23 balls, 7 fours 2 sixes) after his fellow opening partner Prabhsimran Singh fell cheaply for 5.
Continuing his national team form and moving from KKR whom he lead last year to title victory, new Punjab Kings Skipper Shreyas Iyer was in sublime touch from the word go. Hitting the ball with middle of the bat . Iyer was outstanding and sacrificed his hundred for the team and remained unbeaten with a majestic 97 ( 42 balls , 5 fours, 9 sixes) .
Glenn Maxwell did not last a ball out for ( 0) , Marcus Stoinis got the start but could not carry on out after scoring 20 ( 15 balls , 1 four, 2 sixes) Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with ( 16) . Last year’s find Shashank Singh did the clinical finishing act with brilliant 44 ( 16 balls , 6 fours, 2 sixes) . As Punjab Kings finished strongly with an impressive 243/ 5 in their 20 overs.
GT bowling fell apart : Mohammed Siraj 0/ 54 ( 4 overs) , Kagiso Rabada 1/ 41 ( 4 overs) , Arshad Khan 0/ 21 ( 1 over) , Rashid Khan 1/ 48 ( 4 overs) , Prasidh Krishna 0/ 41 ( 3 overs), Sai Kishore 3/ 29 ( 4 overs)
In reply to the massive total , GT were off to a blazing start with openers Sai Sudharsan and Skipper Shubman Gill . They went after the bowling straight away. No option when the target chasing was a daunting 244.
Gill was out but before scoring a quick 33 (14 balls , 2 fours 3 sixes) . Gill fell at the total of 61/ 1 in 5. 5 overs. Sudharshan kept the score board moving but was out after a superb innings of 74 ( 41 balls, 5 fours, 6 sixes) . GT were in the hunt .
GT hopes now rested on Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford. Needing 45 off 12 balls, Jos Buttler fell just after scoring 54 ( 33 balls , 4 fours 2 sixes) . Sherfane Rutherford kept the fight on with his cameo 46 ( 28 balls , 4 fours, 3 sixes). GT needed 27 off 6 . Rahul Tewatia run-out for 6 was the fourth wicket to fall . Rutherford was the fifth out . GT eventually finishing at 232 / 5 in their 20 overs. Punjab Kings winning by 11 runs .
A good beginning for new Punjab Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Head coach Aussie batting legend and former Skipper Ricky Ponting.
Punjab Bowling Arshdeep Singh 2/ 36 ( 4 overs) , Azmatullah Omarzai 0/ 29 ( 2 overs) , Marco Jansen 1/ 44 ( 4 overs) , Glenn Maxwell 1/ 26 ( 2 overs) , Marcus Stoinis 0/ 31 ( 2 overs) , Yuzvendra Chahal 0/ 34 ( 3 overs) , Vijaykumar Vyshak 0/ 28 ( 3 overs)
Match: IPL 2025, 5th Match
Venue: Ahmedabad | Date: March 25, 2025
