The fifth match of the TATA IPL 2025 season, held on March 25, 2025, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, was a high-octane clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). With both teams eager to make a strong statement early in the tournament, this encounter promised fireworks—and it delivered in spades. Punjab Kings, under their new captain Shreyas Iyer, posted a mammoth 243/5 in their 20 overs, only for Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, to fall short at 217/3 in a valiant chase. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the match highlights, key moments, and what this result means for both teams moving forward.
The Toss and Early Decisions
The evening began with Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision influenced by the Narendra Modi Stadium’s reputation as a chasing venue. The pitch, known for its true bounce and short boundaries, hinted at a high-scoring affair, and Gill likely banked on his potent bowling attack—featuring Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj—to restrict PBKS before unleashing his batting firepower, including Jos Buttler and himself, in the chase.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, welcomed the chance to bat first. With a revamped squad boasting explosive overseas stars like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Inglis, alongside the seasoned leadership of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS aimed to set a daunting target and put GT under pressure.
Punjab Kings’ Explosive Batting Display
The PBKS innings got off to a brisk start with openers Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis taking on GT’s pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada. Prabhsimran, known for his aggressive stroke play, smashed 28 off 15 balls, including three boundaries and a towering six off Siraj, before falling to a well-directed bouncer from Rabada in the fourth over. Inglis followed soon after, caught at mid-off for 19 off 12, giving GT an early foothold.
However, the real fireworks began when Shreyas Iyer walked in at No. 3, accompanied by the young Priyansh Arya. Iyer, coming off a triumphant Champions Trophy campaign with India, was in sublime touch. He started cautiously, allowing Arya to take the attack to GT’s spinners. Arya’s 47 off 23 balls was a revelation—his audacious lofted cover drives and a massive six off Rashid Khan showcased his potential. However, Rashid, GT’s trump card, struck back in the seventh over, deceiving Arya with a googly to have him caught by Sai Sudharsan at long-off, leaving PBKS at 79/2 after 6.4 overs.
First win 𝐀𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐃𝐞! 💪#PunjabKings #IPL2025 #GTvPBKS #BasJeetnaHai pic.twitter.com/0rvy0XkP7Y
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2025
Iyer then took charge, forming a scintillating 92-run partnership with Shashank Singh, who came in at No. 5. Shashank, PBKS’s breakout star from IPL 2024, unleashed a barrage of boundaries, finishing with 44 off just 16 balls, including four sixes. His assault on Prasidh Krishna in the 15th over—two sixes and a four—pushed PBKS past the 150-run mark with five overs to spare. Iyer, meanwhile, played the anchor role initially before accelerating with trademark elegance. His cover drives off Siraj and a lofted six off Washington Sundar were highlights of a captain’s knock that ended agonizingly short of a century—97 not out off 42 balls.
The late surge came courtesy of Marcus Stoinis (24* off 12), whose brute power complemented Iyer’s finesse. Together, they plundered 60 runs in the final three overs, with Lockie Ferguson’s pace proving ineffective against their onslaught. PBKS finished at 243/5, the second-highest total in their IPL history, only behind their 262/2 against KKR in 2024. GT’s bowlers, despite early breakthroughs, struggled to contain the onslaught, with Rashid Khan (1/38) and Kagiso Rabada (2/45) being the pick, while Siraj (0/52) and Krishna (0/60) bore the brunt of PBKS’s aggression.
Gujarat Titans’ Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 244 was always going to be a tall order, but GT had the firepower to make a game of it. Openers Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler began with intent, racing to 53/0 in 5.1 overs. Gill, playing on his home turf where he averages over 63, looked in imperious form, caressing boundaries through the off-side, while Buttler, fresh off two IPL 2024 hundreds, smashed Arshdeep Singh for consecutive sixes in the third over.
The PBKS bowlers, however, hit back. Marco Jansen, the lanky South African all-rounder, struck a crucial blow in the ninth over, castling Buttler for 54 off 33 with a full-length delivery that clipped the stumps. GT were 98/1, needing 146 off 66 balls—a steep but not impossible ask. Sai Sudharsan joined Gill, and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking with a 75-run stand. Sudharsan’s 42 off 28 was a composed effort, featuring deft placements and a six off Yuzvendra Chahal, but he fell to Arshdeep Singh in the 15th over, caught at deep midwicket.
With 71 needed off the last five overs, Gill took the attack to PBKS. His 89 not out off 52 balls was a masterclass—three sixes and eight fours showcased his range and composure under pressure. Sherfane Rutherford (27 off 20) provided support, but the required rate climbed to 22.5 by the 18th over. Jansen’s return in the 19th over proved decisive—Rutherford holed out to long-on, and GT could only manage 12 runs in that over. Needing 34 off the final nine balls, Gill smashed a six off Lockie Ferguson but couldn’t find the boundaries consistently enough. GT finished at 217/3, falling 26 runs short despite Gill’s heroics.
Arshdeep Singh (1/40) and Jansen (2/42) were the standout bowlers for PBKS, while Chahal (0/45) struggled to find his rhythm on a batting-friendly surface. The PBKS fielding, led by Iyer’s sharp captaincy, was clinical, with Stoinis and Maxwell pulling off crucial stops in the deep.
Key Moments and Turning Points
- Priyansh Arya’s Cameo: Arya’s 47 off 23 set the tone for PBKS’s innings, allowing Iyer to settle in and build a platform for the late surge.
- *Shreyas Iyer’s 97: The captain’s knock was the backbone of PBKS’s total, blending caution with aggression to near-perfection.
- Shashank Singh’s Blitz: His 44 off 16 turned a good score into a mammoth one, exposing GT’s death bowling frailties.
- Jos Buttler’s Dismissal: Jansen’s breakthrough in the ninth over shifted momentum, slowing GT’s chase at a critical juncture.
- Gill’s Lone Fight: While Gill’s 89* kept GT in the hunt, the lack of support from the middle order ultimately cost them.
Player Performances
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Player of the Match for his unbeaten 97 off 42 (8 fours, 5 sixes), a knock that underlined his leadership and batting prowess.
- Shubman Gill (GT): 89* off 52 (8 fours, 3 sixes)—a valiant effort that deserved a win but lacked backing.
- Shashank Singh (PBKS): 44 off 16 (3 fours, 4 sixes)—a game-changing cameo.
- Jos Buttler (GT): 54 off 33 (5 fours, 3 sixes)—a brisk start that promised more.
- Marco Jansen (PBKS): 2/42—key wickets at crucial moments.
Tactical Takeaways
For Punjab Kings, this win highlighted their batting depth and Iyer’s ability to lead from the front. The decision to promote Shashank Singh up the order paid dividends, while their bowling unit, though expensive, held its nerve in the clutch. However, Chahal’s lack of impact raises questions about their spin department on flat tracks.
Gujarat Titans will rue their death bowling, where Krishna and Siraj leaked runs aplenty. While their top order—Gill, Buttler, and Sudharsan—fired, the middle order’s inability to accelerate exposed a brittle lineup. Rashid Khan’s guile remains their biggest asset, but GT needs more from their pacers to compete in high-scoring games.
What’s Next?
This victory gives Punjab Kings a dream start to their IPL 2025 campaign, boosting their confidence as they eye a maiden title under Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting. Their next challenge will be against Rajasthan Royals on April 5, where their batting will face a sterner test against Trent Boult and co.
For Gujarat Titans, the loss is a wake-up call after a disappointing 2024 season. They’ll look to bounce back against Mumbai Indians on March 29 at home, with Gill keen to maximize the powerplay as promised in pre-season interviews. The addition of Buttler and Rabada offers hope, but consistency will be key.
Conclusion
Match 5 of IPL 2025 was a run-fest that lived up to the Narendra Modi Stadium’s billing. Punjab Kings’ 243/5 was a statement of intent, driven by Iyer’s brilliance and Shashank’s explosiveness, while Gujarat Titans’ 217/3 showcased Gill’s class but underlined their need for a stronger finish. As the tournament unfolds, this game will be remembered as a thrilling opener to both teams’ campaigns—one celebrating a triumph, the other plotting a comeback.
