Punjab Kings kick-started their 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign in thrilling fashion, securing an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a nail-biting showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Punjab's bowlers held their nerve under pressure, successfully defending a daunting total of 243, despite a spirited fightback from the GT’s batting lineup.
After being asked to bat by GT, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer set the tone with a blistering innings. Iyer’s explosive 97* off just 42 balls was the backbone of Punjab’s imposing total. His innings was a masterclass, powering the team to a total of 243/5 from their 20 overs.
Meanwhile, chasing down such a massive total, GT got off to a promising start, with openers Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill taking on the challenge with determination, combining for a partnership that threatened to chase down the target.
Gill, however, couldn’t carry on for long, losing his wicket for 33. But, Jos Buttler looked in excellent touch, leading the recovery while scoring 54 off 33 balls. However, Punjab's bowlers kept their composure, with key breakthroughs at crucial moments, halting GT’s chase. After the wickets of Sudharsan and Buttler, GT failed to regain the control of the chase, finishing at 232/5 in 20 overs. Impact player Sherfane Rutherford tried his best, producing 46 off 28 but his effort went in vain, with Arshdeep Singh taking him out in the 20th over.