Ahmedabad: Arshdeep Singh showcased remarkable composure as Punjab Kings successfully defended 27 runs in the final over to seal a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL 2025 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
The left-arm pacer conceded just 15 runs in the final over, ensuring Punjab Kings held on to their advantage. Despite impressive half-centuries from Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat Titans fell short as Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant 97* guided Punjab to a formidable total, marking a perfect start to his tenure at the new franchise.
Iyer leads from the front with match-winning knock
Shreyas Iyer was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 97, a captain’s knock that set the foundation for Punjab Kings’ victory. Reflecting on his performance, Iyer expressed his elation:
“Ecstatic, to be honest. Scoring 97 in the first match is always the icing on the cake. No better feeling. It was important to adapt early, and that flicked six off Rabada really shifted the momentum. We knew the dew factor would play a role, but credit to Shashank for his quickfire 44 off 16-17 balls. Vyshak also brought great energy to the team—his approach is stupendous. And Arshdeep played a crucial role with his reverse swing at the death. Before the season, we prepared rigorously, and it showed today.”*
Arshdeep’s tactical brilliance
Arshdeep Singh, the hero of the final over, credited meticulous planning for his success.
“The plan was simple—make them play in the off-side and bowl as wide as possible. The dew made things tricky, but we executed well. Credit to the batters for setting a great total. There’s no par score in this format—you just have to keep going.”
Gill reflects on costly overs
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill admitted that lapses in key moments cost his side the game.
“We had our chances in both innings, but we conceded too many runs at the back end. Those three overs in the middle, where we managed just 18 runs, and the slow start in the powerplay proved costly. However, there are plenty of positives to take. The wicket was great to bat on, and we’ll bounce back stronger.”
Punjab Kings’ victory marks an emphatic start to their campaign, while Gujarat Titans will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
