Punjab Kings Edge Gujarat Titans by 11 Runs in IPL 2025 Opener as Shreyas Iyer Slams 97*

May, 9 2025

Packed Stands, Huge Scores, and a Captain’s Knock: IPL 2025 Begins with a Bang

If you kicked off the new IPL season waiting for a statement win, Punjab Kings just delivered. On a lively night in Ahmedabad, the Punjab squad put down a marker with an 11-run win over the Gujarat Titans, showcasing power hitting and tight bowling when the heat was really on. The marquee moment? Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls—easily the most commanding knock of the weekend.

Punjab didn’t just pile on the runs—they did it with real intent from ball one. A lot of eyes were on debutant Priyansh Arya, but any nerves the youngster had didn’t show. He exploded for 47 from only 23 balls, taking the attack straight to Gujarat’s bowlers with crisp drives and fearless pulls. He handed the baton to Iyer, who barely let up once he took guard. Iyer hit every bowler off their length, mixing daring lofted shots with effortless timing, and reminding everyone what a world-class player looks like when he’s locked in.

Middle-order cameos have a funny way of not getting enough love, but Shashank Singh made sure no one missed him. His late-innings rampage—44 off 16 balls—turned what looked like a defendable total into a daunting one. Punjab’s 243/5 wouldn’t have happened without that last push, and the Titans’ bowlers were left searching for answers by the time the innings wrapped.

Titans’ Hot Start Cools as Punjab’s Bowlers Seal the Deal

Chasing 245 isn’t for the faint-hearted, but Gujarat’s openers set up the chase with an aggressive start. Jos Buttler, who’s known for making even big targets look small, threatened to break the game open with a brisk 28. Sai Sudharsan gave it a real go with his 33, building partnerships and keeping the crowd on their feet. But chasing huge totals has a way of magnifying small mistakes, and a short collapse in the middle overs left too much work for the back end.

This is where Punjab’s bowlers flexed their nerves. Vijaykumar Vyash and Marco Jansen shared the responsibility at the death, bowling with control, and mixing up their pace just when Gujarat’s hitters were itching to explode. The fielders backed their bowlers too, saving crucial runs that made all the difference in a high-scoring thriller.

• The Titans ended on 232/5, just 11 runs shy, with wickets in hand but the momentum lost after the 15th over.
• Iyer’s unbeaten 97 stood tall as the Punjab Kings celebrated not just a win, but a warning to the rest of the league that their batting line-up is a real force this season.
• Punjab shot up to third in the points table, behind Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Gujarat slipped to seventh—a quick shift showing just how fast fortunes change in this tournament.

If there was ever a way to throw down the gauntlet in the IPL, Punjab just showed it. Whether you’re a PBKS loyalist or just love some drama, this is the kind of opener that sets the tone for a wild season ahead.