IPL 2025, GT vs PBKS LIVE Cricket Score: Iyer, Stoinis Look to Rebuild After Kishore Takes Two; Punjab Past 120 vs Gujarat
The highly anticipated clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been nothing short of a thriller. As the two teams battle it out for supremacy, fans are on the edge of their seats, witnessing a gripping contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. At the halfway mark of the match, Gujarat Titans are putting up a dominant performance, but Punjab Kings aren’t out of the game yet.
After losing a couple of quick wickets, Punjab’s hopes of a competitive total rest largely on Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis, who are looking to rebuild their innings after a mid-innings collapse. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for them, as Gujarat Titans’ bowlers, especially Rashid Khan and Shivam Kishore, have been causing trouble for the Punjab batsmen.
The Gujarat Titans’ Dominance with the Ball
As the match progresses, Shivam Kishore has emerged as the key bowler for Gujarat Titans. The left-arm spinner has been wreaking havoc in the Punjab Kings’ middle order, picking up crucial wickets that have stalled Punjab’s progress. The first breakthrough came early, with Shubman Gill catching a spectacular catch to dismiss Prabhsimran Singh. This set the tone for Gujarat’s bowling attack, as they continued to make inroads into Punjab’s batting lineup.
Kishore’s brilliant spell of bowling in the middle overs was the highlight of Gujarat’s bowling performance. He was able to extract sharp turn from the pitch, exploiting the rough patches in the surface and creating uncertainty for the Punjab batsmen. His two quick wickets, including the big scalp of Shikhar Dhawan, have brought Gujarat back into the game, giving them a significant upper hand as Punjab found themselves struggling at 60 for 4 at one point.
While Rashid Khan and Alzarri Joseph provided some excellent support, it was Kishore who truly made the difference in this game. His variations and pinpoint accuracy kept the Punjab batters guessing, and it was clear that he had planned his tactics meticulously for this contest.
Iyer and Stoinis Rebuild: The Crucial Partnership
At 60 for 4, Punjab Kings found themselves under pressure. However, Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis took it upon themselves to stabilize the innings. The two batsmen formed a crucial partnership that has so far helped Punjab cross the 120-run mark. Their partnership has been built on a solid foundation of caution, with both players showing great resilience in the face of mounting pressure from Gujarat’s bowlers.
Shreyas Iyer, known for his calm temperament and ability to anchor an innings, has been the more patient of the two. He has played an anchor role, often rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Although he has faced some nervy moments, especially against Kishore’s spin and the pace of Alzarri Joseph, Iyer has looked comfortable at the crease. His elegant shots through the covers and well-placed drives have been some of the highlights of the innings so far.
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On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis has been more aggressive, looking to accelerate the innings whenever possible. His power-hitting ability is well known, and he has played some trademark pull shots and lofted drives over the infield. Stoinis’ ability to strike big boundaries has kept Punjab in the game, and he is the key for them to get to a competitive total. His partnership with Iyer has been crucial for Punjab’s rebuilding process, and they will need to continue their efforts to get a strong total on the board.
Punjab Past 120: Can They Push for a Big Total?
As the game reaches its final stages, Punjab Kings have managed to recover and reach a total of over 120 runs, but they still have a lot of work to do if they are to post a challenging total against Gujarat. Iyer and Stoinis will need to play their roles to perfection in the closing stages of the innings.
Punjab is still behind the required rate to post a huge total. A score of 150-160 would still be within Gujarat Titans’ reach, given their depth in batting. The key for Punjab now is to ensure that they don’t lose quick wickets in the final overs, and if they can, they have the firepower to finish strongly.
Rashid Khan, who is well-known for his wicket-taking abilities, has been an important factor in keeping the pressure on Punjab. He has been tough to get away, and his control in the middle overs has restricted Punjab from accelerating as much as they would have liked. Shivam Kishore will also be crucial in the final stages as he could be handed the responsibility of finishing off the innings with a couple of key overs. Gujarat’s bowlers have been clinical so far, and they will be looking to finish strong and restrict Punjab to as low a total as possible.
Gujarat Titans’ Strategy in the Chase
With Gujarat Titans having successfully reduced Punjab Kings to a vulnerable position, they are now looking at a modest target that can be chased down with ease, assuming their batting line-up performs to the required standards. Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and David Miller are all dangerous players capable of taking the game away from the opposition in no time. Their approach will likely be aggressive from the outset, with a target of around 150-160 still considered chaseable.
The Gujarat Titans’ strategy will be to attack right from the beginning. Shubman Gill, with his ability to play both aggressive and calculated shots, will likely open the batting, along with Wriddhiman Saha or Hardik Pandya, depending on the conditions. Both players can get the innings off to a quick start, and Gujarat will be looking to capitalize on the momentum built from their bowling effort.
With a deep batting lineup, including the likes of David Miller and Rahul Tewatia, Gujarat is in a comfortable position to go after the target. However, they will need to be cautious about the tricky nature of the pitch, which has shown some signs of turning as the game progresses. The presence of Shivam Kishore and Rashid Khan in Gujarat’s bowling lineup also provides them with an edge in the chase, as both are experienced at containing the opposition and picking up wickets at key moments.
Punjab Kings’ Hopes Rest on Iyer and Stoinis
For Punjab, the battle is far from over. If Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis can continue their partnership and push the total beyond 160, they might still have a chance of defending it, provided their bowlers step up. The likes of Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Harpreet Brar will need to bring their A-game to the table, creating pressure with the ball and picking up key wickets in the chase.
It will be crucial for Punjab to use the remaining overs efficiently and get as many runs as possible in the final overs. Every run will count, and the upcoming death overs will be a key period in determining how competitive Punjab’s total will be. Stoinis’s power-hitting abilities, combined with Iyer’s resilience, will be critical for them to finish strong.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Match?
As the match progresses, the next key phase will be the final overs of Punjab’s innings. Can Iyer and Stoinis accelerate to give their bowlers something to work with? Or will Gujarat Titans continue their dominance and bowl Punjab out cheaply?
In either case, one thing is clear: this match is far from over. The next few overs will prove crucial, and both teams will be eager to capitalize on any mistakes made by the opposition. The battle between bat and ball in IPL 2025 is heating up, and fans can expect more thrilling action as the match progresses.
Conclusion: A Thrilling Encounter on the Cards
As we head into the final overs of the Punjab Kings’ innings, the match remains finely balanced. While Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis are doing their best to rebuild, the Gujarat Titans have the upper hand, thanks to their bowlers’ exceptional performance, particularly Shivam Kishore. However, with Punjab past 120 runs, the game is far from over, and the last few overs could decide the outcome.
Gujarat Titans’ chasing ability, combined with their depth in batting, gives them a slight edge, but the match could still swing either way. Fans can expect plenty of action, and as the IPL 2025 season unfolds, this encounter promises to be one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.
