In a thrilling showdown with a spot in the IPL 2025 final at stake, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer made a daring decision at the toss during Qualifier 2 against the formidable Mumbai Indians at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With the winner set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Tuesday’s grand finale, Iyer opted to bowl first—a choice that sparked intrigue among fans and analysts alike.
Iyer justified his call with a sharp assessment of the conditions. “We are going to bowl first. It’s slightly overcast, and the wicket was under covers for a while,” he said at the toss. “This is a fresh game, and our mindset is to go out there and win. The environment is electric, and we’re ready for the challenge. We’ve brought in Yuzvendra Chahal to bolster our spin attack.” His words reflected a calculated gamble, banking on early moisture and potential swing to unsettle Mumbai’s star-studded batting lineup.
The decision wasn’t made in isolation. Pitch No. 7 at Ahmedabad, known for its even pace and flat surface, was under scrutiny before the game. Pitch analysts Murali Kartik and Michael Clarke described it as a “batter’s paradise,” predicting a high-scoring encounter with 200-plus totals being par for the course. However, with overcast skies and a hint of dew expected under lights, chasing could prove advantageous—a sentiment echoed by Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya.
Pandya, who lost the toss, admitted he too would have preferred to bowl first. “We also wanted to field. The wicket has gotten flatter, but if you bowl well early, there’s some help on offer,” he noted. “We arrived early morning after our last game, and the focus has been on recovery. Reece Topley replaces Richard Gleeson, who has a minor niggle.” Both captains clearly saw the tactical edge in exploiting the dew factor and Ahmedabad’s short square boundaries—61m and 67m—making it a venue ripe for explosive T20 cricket.
Adding to the context, Ahmedabad has historically favored teams chasing in knockout games, with dew often hampering bowlers in the second innings. Statistically, in the last 10 IPL matches at this venue, teams batting second have won 7 times, underscoring the potential wisdom behind Iyer’s call. Moreover, Punjab Kings’ pace attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson, alongside Chahal’s wily leg-spin, could capitalize on any early assistance from the pitch.
As the match unfolded, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions, boast a fearsome batting unit with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Pandya himself, while their bowling is spearheaded by the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, rely on a balanced lineup featuring the explosive Marcus Stoinis and the composure of Iyer at the helm. The clash promised to be a spectacle of strategy and skill, with both teams aware that one misstep could end their title dreams.
Starting XIs:
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Raj Bawa, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Reece Topley
As the first ball was delivered under Ahmedabad’s roaring floodlights, all eyes were on whether Iyer’s bold gamble would pay off or if Mumbai’s batting firepower would dominate. One thing is certain—this Qualifier 2 clash is set to be an unforgettable chapter in IPL history.