The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicked off with some exciting matches, and on March 25, 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) faced Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was a high-scoring game full of big hits, tense moments, and a nail-biting finish. PBKS won by 11 runs, thanks to amazing batting by Shreyas Iyer and smart bowling at the end. Let’s break down the highlights of this awesome match!
The Toss and Start
GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to chase the score later on Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly pitch. PBKS started with Prabhsimran Singh and debutant Priyansh Arya opening the batting. GT’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, came out strong, but PBKS had other plans.
PBKS Batting: Shreyas Iyer Shines
PBKS got off to a decent start. Priyansh Arya, playing his first IPL match, looked fearless. He smashed 47 runs off just 23 balls, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes. He attacked GT’s bowlers, especially Arshad Khan, who gave away 18 runs in one over. But Rashid Khan got him out with a clever googly, ending his fun at 47.
Then came the star of the show—PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer. He walked in at No. 3 and took charge. Iyer smashed 97 runs off 42 balls, staying not out till the end. His innings had 9 huge sixes and 5 fours, showing why he’s a top player. He hit Prasidh Krishna for 24 runs in the 17th over, turning the game in PBKS’s favor.
Azmatullah Omarzai (16) and Marcus Stoinis (20) gave some support, but GT’s R Sai Kishore struck back. He took 3 wickets, including Omarzai and Glenn Maxwell (0) in two balls, slowing PBKS down for a bit. However, Shashank Singh joined Iyer and went wild. Shashank scored 44 not out off just 16 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes. In the last over, he smashed Mohammed Siraj for 23 runs, helping PBKS finish at a massive 243/5 in 20 overs. It was the highest IPL total ever at this stadium!
GT’s Chase: A Strong Start
Chasing 244 was a big task, but GT started well. Shubman Gill (33 off 19) and Sai Sudharsan opened the batting. They scored 61/1 in the powerplay, keeping the run rate high. Gill hit some lovely shots before Glenn Maxwell got him out. Jos Buttler joined Sudharsan, and the two took GT to 174/2 after 15 overs. Sudharsan was on fire, scoring 74 off 41 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Buttler added 54 off 33, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. GT looked like they might pull off the chase.
The Turning Point
At 174/2 after 15 overs, GT needed 70 runs off the last 5 overs. That’s when PBKS turned the game around. Impact player Vijaykumar Vyshak came in and bowled two tight overs, giving away just 10 runs. His yorkers stopped GT’s big hitters. Arshdeep Singh then got the key wicket of Sudharsan, breaking an 84-run partnership with Buttler. Marco Jansen bowled a smart 16th over, giving only 8 runs, and the pressure started building.
Sherfane Rutherford tried to fight back with 46 off 28 balls, including 4 sixes and 2 fours. He smashed Marcus Stoinis for 14 runs in one over, keeping GT’s hopes alive. But Vyshak and Jansen kept things tight, leaving GT needing 27 runs off the last over.
The Final Over Drama
Arshdeep Singh bowled the last over for PBKS, with GT needing 27. Rutherford hit a huge six over cover, bringing the crowd to its feet. But Arshdeep stayed calm. He got Rutherford out by bowling him with a full delivery, ending GT’s big hope. Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan tried their best, with Shahrukh hitting a six off the last ball, but it wasn’t enough. GT finished at 232/5, falling 11 runs short. PBKS won a thriller!
Key Players
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): 97* off 42 balls – the backbone of PBKS’s huge total.
- Shashank Singh (PBKS): 44* off 16 balls – a quick knock that sealed the deal.
- Sai Sudharsan (GT): 74 off 41 balls – kept GT in the chase.
- Jos Buttler (GT): 54 off 33 balls – a solid effort but not enough.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): 2/36 – took big wickets and won it in the last over.
- R Sai Kishore (GT): 3/30 – the best bowler for GT.
Why PBKS Won
PBKS’s batting was too strong. Iyer and Shashank’s late attack gave them a total GT couldn’t match. Their bowlers, especially Vyshak and Arshdeep, bowled smartly at the end, stopping GT’s momentum. GT’s bowlers, like Siraj and Krishna, gave away too many runs (135 in the last 8 overs), making it tough to defend.
What GT Could’ve Done Better
GT’s batting was great, hitting 16 sixes—the most they’ve ever hit in an IPL innings. But their bowling let them down. Siraj (23 runs in the last over) and Krishna (expensive spells) couldn’t stop PBKS. If they had taken more wickets early or bowled tighter at the death, it might’ve been closer.
Fun Facts from the Match
- PBKS’s 243/5 is the highest IPL total at Narendra Modi Stadium.
- GT’s 232/5 is their highest score while chasing in IPL history.
- Shreyas Iyer’s 97* is his best IPL score ever.
- 16 sixes by GT beat their old record of 14 against LSG in 2023.
What’s Next?
PBKS start IPL 2025 with a bang, showing they mean business under Shreyas Iyer. GT will want to fix their bowling before their next game. This match was a perfect example of why IPL is so exciting—big runs, big hits, and a close finish!
Why You Should Keep Watching IPL 2025
This GT vs PBKS game proves IPL 2025 is going to be full of action. Want more highlights like this? Stay tuned for the next matches, and don’t miss out on the fun!
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