Watch: Hardik Pandya suffers total breakdown after Qualifier 2 loss, Bumrah, Suryakumar get concerned

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya was left heartbroken after his team’s defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Following the loss, the five-time IPL champions were knocked out of the marquee tournament.

Punjab Kings chased down a target of 204 runs on Sunday, June 1. Shreyas Iyer scored 87 runs off 41 balls, including eight powerful sixes. They secured a thrilling five-wicket victory with six balls remaining. PBKS will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL final at the same venue on Tuesday.

Watch: Hardik Pandya Left Heartbroken After MI's Exit in IPL 2025

Hardik Pandya was devastated after Punjab Kings sealed their spot in the final with Shreyas Iyer’s winning six. Hardik sank to his knees, unable to move as the reality of defeat set in. Jasprit Bumrah approached him, helping Hardik to his feet and pushing him to join the post-match handshakes.

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You can get a glimpse of the distraught Hardik Pandya in the video below:

A 1⃣1⃣ year wait ends... 🥹#PBKS are in the #TATAIPL 2025 Final and who better than Captain Shreyas Iyer to take them through ❤

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/vILymKxqXp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025

Hardik Pandya hails Shreyas Iyer

Hardik Pandya praised Shreyas Iyer for his exceptional performance. Speaking at the post-match presentation, the Mumbai Indians skipper called Iyer's innings really outstanding.

“The way Shreyas batted, took his chances and some of the shots he played were really outstanding. I think they definitely batted really well,” said Hardik in the post-match presentation.

Punjab Kings got off to a shaky start during the run chase. However, Josh Inglis made an impact by smashing 20 runs off Jasprit Bumrah in a single over. Inglis was dismissed after scoring 38 from 21 balls. Nehal Wadhera then joined skipper Shreyas Iyer at the crease.

The duo added a partnership of 84 runs in less than eight overs, putting Punjab in control. Wadhera scored 48 off 29 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. However, the Punjab team lost two quick wickets, but Iyer accelerated towards the end and guided them to victory with an over to spare.

Mumbai Indians post competitive total

Earlier in the match, Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 203/6 after being sent in to bat. Jonny Bairstow scored 38 runs off 24 balls with three boundaries and two sixes, while Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav contributed 44 runs each.

Tilak and Surya stitched together a 72-run stand for the third wicket. Naman Dhir finished the innings on a high note with 37 off just 18 balls, including seven boundaries. Notably, veterans Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya failed to deliver under pressure, scoring only 8 and 15, respectively.

Punjab Kings’ bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Yuzvendra Chahal, Kyle Jamieson, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, and Marcus Stoinis chipped in with one wicket each, while Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets in his four-over spell, though he was a bit expensive.

Also read: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis snubbed as Kane Williamson reveals his all-time favorite Pakistan cricketers