June 2, 2025 - Yesterday, on June 1, Mumbai Indians faced Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2. In this match, Punjab defeated Mumbai by 5 wickets, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten innings of 87 runs. With this win, Punjab reached the IPL final after 11 years. Now, it will will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final tomorrow, June 3.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians' dream of winning the title was shattered with this defeat. Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya looked very disappointed after the loss to Punjab. He took responsibility for the team’s defeat saying maybe he could have managed the team better.

Hardik said, "I take the blame on myself. Maybe I could have managed my players a little better. I think 204 was a par score, but as a bowling unit, we needed a better plan. In big games, such things matter. Punjab stayed calm, they put us under pressure, and we couldn’t perform."

Hardik also praised Punjab’s star batter Iyer for his brilliant innings. 

"Yes definitely, especially the way Iyer batted, he took chances and some of the shots he played were brilliant," he said.

Mumbai batted first and gave a target of 204 runs to Punjab Kings. This was the first time in the franchise’s history that an opponent has chased a target of more than 200 runs so easily.

Iyer scored an unbeaten 87 runs from just 41 balls. His innings included 8 huge sixes and 5 fours, with a strike rate of 212. He even hit a six in Ashwini Kumar’s 19th over.

When asked if Jasprit Bumrah should have bowled the 17th over (when 41 runs were needed from 4 overs), Hardik defended the decision. He said, "It would have been better if we had bowled Bumrah earlier, but it might have been a bit early. Knowing Boom, even with 18 balls left, Jassi can do something special. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen today."