Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer faltered at the worst possible time, managing just a single run in the IPL 2025 final while chasing 191 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Under intense pressure, Iyer edged behind in the 10th over and walked off visibly distraught.
His dismissal came off a sharp delivery from part-time seamer Romario Shepherd, who pitched it on a good length and got it to seam away late. Iyer offered a tentative prod, and the edge was enough for the on-field umpire to raise his finger without hesitation.
Shreyas Iyer walked off without a review, visibly dejected, as Punjab slipped to 79/3 with the run rate rising. Sensing a crucial moment, Virat Kohli erupted in celebration, leaping and fist-pumping with Shepherd. Iyer, who had smashed 87 in Qualifier 2, couldn’t replicate that form in the final, and his tentative approach backfired.
Romario strikes GOLD! 🤩❤️
Massive moment! Sarpanch Shreyas departs and #RCB would look to get on top from this stage! 💪🏻
Who takes control from here? 👀
LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/XmOkxMNq4t#IPLFinals 👉 #RCBvPBKS on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/gI0P3JdDsz
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 3, 2025
RCB Defend 190 With Disciplined Bowling On Tricky Surface Against Punjab Kings
RCB produced a disciplined bowling display after posting a total of 190 on a pitch that offered variable bounce and pace. At the innings break, there were doubts about whether the score would be sufficient against Punjab Kings’ aggressive batting line-up.
But RCB’s bowlers rose to the occasion. Josh Hazlewood struck early, dismissing Priyansh Arya and ending a promising opening stand of 43. Prabhsimran Singh struggled to find rhythm and eventually fell to Krunal Pandya, who shifted the momentum in RCB’s favour with his clever spin.
Krunal delivered a game-changing spell, not only restricting the flow of runs but also picking up key wickets. Josh Inglis was the lone Punjab batter who looked comfortable, striking the ball cleanly and finding boundaries with regularity. However, as wickets continued to fall around him, the pressure mounted.
Inglis fell for 39 off 23 in the 13th over, miscuing a big shot off Krunal Pandya, who delivered a match-winning spell of 2/17. Earlier, Kohli faced criticism for his slow 43 off 35 in RCB’s innings.
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