Watch: PBKS co-owner pulls Shreyas Iyer in for sudden kiss during wild celebrations

After Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 finals, team co-owner Ness Wadia surprised captain Shreyas Iyer with a kiss on the cheek. The right-handed batter quickly wiped it off with a tissue, and the moment soon went viral across social media platforms.

Punjab defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1. Chasing a target of 204, PBKS secured the win with one over to spare and booked their spot in the final. They will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the same venue on June 3.

Watch: Shreyas Iyer Wipes Off Ness Wadia’s Kiss

After Punjab Kings clinched a thrilling win over Mumbai Indians, celebrations erupted at the team hotel. Players and management gathered to cut a cake marking the occasion, with co-owner Ness Wadia playing a prominent role in the festivities.

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During the celebrations, Wadia fed Shreyas Iyer a slice of cake and planted a kiss on his cheek. However, the moment took an awkward turn when Iyer quietly wiped his cheek with a tissue.

The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions from fans. Iyer appeared focused on preparing for the upcoming final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, not allowing the viral moment to become a distraction.

Watch the video of the same posted by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:

Ness Wadia kissed Iyer on the cheek but he Swiped it off with a Napkin 😭😭😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/KWSZrRty5J

— Sukham 𝕏 (@LionsDenPBKS) June 2, 2025

Shreyas Iyer Leads from the Front as PBKS Stun MI in Qualifier 2

Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in Punjab Kings' memorable win over Mumbai Indians. He scored an unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls, including five fours and eight sixes, at a strike rate of over 212. His knock helped PBKS chase down the target in 19 overs with five wickets in hand.

The middle-order batter has been a consistent performer for his team throughout the season. Shreyas Iyer has amassed 603 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 54.81 and a striking strike rate of 175.80, including six half-centuries.

The 30-year-old cricketer previously led Delhi Capitals (DC) to the IPL 2020 final and captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the championship title in 2024. However, the franchise chose not to retain or buy him back at the IPL 2025 auction.

Mumbai Indians Posted a Total of 203/6 in 20 Overs

Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 203/6 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first in Qualifier 2. Suryakumar Yadav (44), Tilak Varma (44), Jonny Bairstow (38), and Naman Dhir (37) all made valuable contributions. Azmatullah Omarzai picked up two wickets for the Punjab Kings.

For Punjab, Nehal Wadhera scored 48 off 29 balls, while Josh Inglis (38 off 21) and Priyansh Arya (20 off 10) provided a solid start. Ashwani Kumar took two wickets for MI but proved expensive, conceding 23 runs in the penultimate over.

Punjab Kings will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The clash will be a rematch of Qualifier 1, where RCB defeated PBKS by eight wickets. Both teams are aiming to win their maiden IPL title.

Also read: Watch: Sarfaraz Khan silences fitness critics, grabs a screamer at slip against England Lions