Ahmedabad, Mar 25 (UNI) Skipper Shreyas Iyer played a sensational innings, leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a formidable total of 243 for five in their allotted 20 overs against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
Iyer remained unbeaten on 97 off just 42 balls, his innings studded with five boundaries and nine sixes, ensuring that Punjab capitalised on their strong start and maintained the momentum throughout their innings. His aggressive stroke play kept the scoreboard ticking even as wickets fell at the other end.
After winning the toss, Gujarat opted to bowl first, but Punjab made full use of the conditions, with their batsmen producing a power-packed display.
Punjab opener Priyansh Arya gave his team a flying start, smashing a quickfire 47 off just 23 balls at an impressive strike rate of 204.35. However, he was dismissed by Rashid Khan in the seventh over. Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh struggled to get going, managing only 5 off 8 balls before falling to Kagiso Rabada in the third over.
At the end of the powerplay, Punjab had raced to 73 runs for the loss of one wicket.
Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 16 off 15 balls but perished to Sai Kishore, who struck twice in quick succession, trapping Glenn Maxwell lbw for a golden duck off the very next ball. Marcus Stoinis (20 off 15) also fell to the left-arm spinner, leaving Punjab at 162/5 in 15.2 overs.
With PBKS needing a strong finish, Shashank Singh stepped up, hammering an explosive unbeaten 44 off just 16 deliveries. His late assault propelled Punjab beyond the 240-run mark. Extras added 14 runs to the total, including six wides and eight leg-byes.
Sai Kishore was the most successful bowler for Gujarat, returning figures of 3/30 in four overs. Rashid Khan (1/48) and Rabada (1/41) chipped in with a wicket each, while Mohammed Siraj (0/54) and Prasidh Krishna (0/41) remained wicketless.
With a massive target of 244 to chase, Gujarat Titans have an uphill task ahead under the lights. UNI BDN SSP