The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have secured their place in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 playoffs after defeating the Mumbai Indians (MI) by seven wickets in a crucial match played in Jaipur on Monday, May 26, 2025. This victory ensures that the Shreyas Iyer-led side finishes in the top two of the league stage.

Both Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians had already qualified for the playoffs, along with Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, this match was pivotal in determining which team would secure the coveted top-two finish and the advantage of playing in Qualifier 1. The loser would be relegated to the Eliminator match.

Mumbai Indians, after winning the toss, posted a total of 184/7 in their 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav was the standout performer for MI, slamming a half-century to anchor the innings. Other notable contributions came from Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab Kings, making crucial breakthroughs and restricting the MI batting lineup.

In response, Punjab Kings chased down the target of 185 with seven wickets to spare. Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis provided a solid opening partnership, laying the foundation for the chase. Shreyas Iyer then took charge, guiding the team towards the finish line. Contributions from Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh ensured that PBKS comfortably reached the target.

The win not only secured Punjab Kings' place in Qualifier 1 but also highlighted their strong performance throughout the league stage. With 17 points, PBKS currently hold the second position in the standings. A loss in this match would have dropped them to third or fourth, pushing them into the Eliminator match scheduled for May 30.

For Mumbai Indians, despite Suryakumar Yadav's impressive innings, they fell short of securing a top-two finish. MI's bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, couldn't contain the PBKS batting lineup. Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar provided support, but the team was unable to capitalize on their strong bowling unit to defend the total.

The match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians was a high-stakes encounter with both teams aiming for a top-two finish. Punjab Kings displayed a well-rounded performance, with contributions from both their batting and bowling departments, securing a well-deserved victory and a place in Qualifier 1.