IPL 2025: Punjab Kings pull off thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans

Punjab secured a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL clash in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

T20 cricket can turn in a matter of overs, and Punjab’s win was a testament to the game’s unpredictable nature and the value of disciplined bowling. Gujarat conceded 77 runs in the last four overs, piling pressure on themselves, while Punjab responded with a brilliant 21-ball spell where Gujarat failed to find a single boundary. That proved decisive, as Mohammed Siraj’s costly 23-run final over ultimately tilted the match in Punjab’s favour.

Gujarat’s chase was built on Sai Sudharsan’s 74 and Jos Buttler’s 54, followed by Sherfane Rutherford’s quickfire 46 off 28 balls. But it wasn’t enough against Punjab’s well-executed bowling plans, which cleverly used full tosses to unsettle Gujarat’s batters. The hosts finished at 227 for five, falling short of the steep target.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 97, forging a record 81-run sixth-wicket stand with Shashank Singh to propel Punjab to 243 for five. Shashank’s explosive 44 came off just 16 balls. For Gujarat, left-arm spinner Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, returning figures of 3 for 30.

The match continues to swing back and forth. The wicket of Sai Sudharsan brought in Impact Sub Sherfane Rutherford, who injected momentum into the chase, while Jos Buttler has shifted into top gear, accelerating Gujarat’s pursuit. However, two tight overs from Vijaykumar Vyshak and Marco Jansen have momentarily slowed the scoring.

Despite that, Gujarat remain in a strong position, though a costly 23-run final over could come back to haunt them. After 16 overs, the hosts are 182/2, compared to Punjab’s 166/5 at the same stage. Gujarat have the edge for now.

Game on. Gujarat have matched Punjab’s scoring rate, reaching 104/1 in 10 overs—just one run behind Punjab’s 105/2 at the same stage. The next three overs will be crucial, as Punjab’s scoring rate dipped after losing quick wickets. Sai Sudharsan has brought up a blistering half-century off 31 balls on his home turf, while Buttler is yet to hit top gear. Gujarat need a couple of big overs, but the dew hasn’t made stroke play any easier. At this stage, Punjab hold the advantage.

Gujarat were taking a cautious approach, not taking undue chances, but against the run of play Gill loses his wicket. The Gujarat skipper extended his sublime touch and was bossing over the Punjab bowling, picking his gaps but closed his bat too early only to sky it to short covers off Glenn Maxwell. The hosts are 61/1 after the powerplay overs, and not the difference between the teams are not much as Punjab were 73 for one at the same point. Gujarat have the firepower but need to find the momentum. All eyes on Jos Buttler.

Shreyas Iyer once again led from the front, guiding Punjab Kings to a commanding total of 243 for five against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. The Punjab skipper, in stellar white-ball form for India, played his trademark aggressive game on a perfect batting pitch, capitalising on Gujarat’s wayward bowling.

Iyer, who steered Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title last season, joined Punjab for Rs267.5 million and has already justified his hefty price tag from the 2025 IPL Auction in Jeddah late last year. The 26-year-old smashed an unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls at a phenomenal strike rate, setting the tone for Punjab’s high-scoring start to the season.

Punjab signalled their intent early, with opener Priyansh Arya leading the charge. But after three quick wickets, Iyer and Marcus Stoinis steadied the innings before Shashank Singh’s explosive 44 off just 16 deliveries provided the perfect finish. Gujarat’s left-arm spinner Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, applying brakes in the middle overs with figures of 3 for 30.

Despite Punjab’s imposing total, Gujarat have the firepower to chase it down, especially with the dew expected to play a role in the second innings.

Punjab have lost momentum after a strong start, with three wickets falling in the space of five overs. The Kings were well placed at 105 for two at the halfway mark, but back-to-back dismissals of Azmatullah Omarzai and Glenn Maxwell have left them reeling at 105 for four after 11 overs. The loss of Priyansh Arya has further slowed the scoring, leaving Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis with the task of rebuilding.

Wayward bowling and a missed catch are proving costly for Gujarat on a placid Ahmedabad pitch. Skipper Shreyas Iyer and left-handed opener Priyansh Arya, who capitalised on the reprieve, have taken Punjab Kings to 73 for one at the end of the powerplay.

Kagiso Rabada, unlucky to see a high catch put down, provided the early breakthrough, but Iyer and Arya have counterattacked. Arya (42*), in particular, was severe on Arshad Khan, smashing 22 runs in a single over. Another high-scoring contest seems to be on the cards.

Gujarat Titans skipper Gill won the toss and elected to bowl against Punjab Kings in their opener at Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

“The dew to play a role, and hence that decision,” Gill told Ravi Shastri during the toss. “There isn't much assistance for the spinners on the pitch.”

Hence, Gujarat have decided to playing four fast bowlers and two spinners. 

Shreyas Iyer backed Gill’s decision and said he would have bowled first as well as he loves to chase. "It's obviously challenging," Iyer says about switching over to a new team and also leading it.

Teams:

Gujarat Titans:

Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Impact sub options: Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Ishant Sharma, Rawat and Washington Sundar

Punjab Kings:

Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Azamatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact sub options: Wadhera, Dubey, Vyshak, Brar and Vinod.