Watch: Preity Zinta gets Shreyas Iyer to break his poker face amid PBKS celebrations, viral wink steals spotlight

The IPL 2025 final will be a repeat of Qualifier 1, as both Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be battling it out for their maiden title on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, all thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s heroics in Qualifier 2.

The Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings had everything on the line as they took on five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, June 1.

Shreyas Iyer scripts history as Punjab Kings reach IPL Final after 11 years

The pressure was sky-high, but the PBKS captain rose to the occasion and delivered a breathtaking performance to guide his team to their second-ever IPL final and their first since 2014.

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Chasing a massive target of 204, it was Shreyas who took control of the innings with a memorable unbeaten knock of 87 runs off just 41 balls, studded with 5 fours and 8 towering sixes, and he finished the match in style with a six off Ashwani Kumar.

As soon as Iyer finished the match in Ahmedabad, a jubilant yet wild celebration exploded in the Punjab Kings' camp, but the captain’s poker face confused many. Head coach Ricky Ponting couldn’t control his emotions, as he jumped up from the dugout, hugged nearly every player around him, and then ran straight to the field after the skipper hit the winning runs.

Read Also: Hardik Pandya blames himself and Jasprit Bumrah for MI's Qualifier 2 loss

Ricky Ponting’s pride and Preity Zinta's joy light up the PBKS camp after Shreyas Iyer's heroics

Ponting gave Iyer a warm hug and a pat on the back, clearly proud of the way the skipper handled the high-pressure chase and took the team to the IPL 2025 final. Meanwhile, PBKS co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia also joined in the celebrations.

Preity Zinta was seen clapping and jumping with joy the moment the ball sailed over the ropes. She then walked onto the field and hugged everyone, including Ponting. Later, Preity was seen having a cheerful chat with Ponting and even playfully winked at one of the players, highlighting pure happiness after waiting 11 long years to reach another final.

Damn that wink by Preity Zinta. 🤌🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/WCqJKM4YYI

— Yash. (@TheSDELad) June 1, 2025

Shreyas Iyer’s poker face stands out in PBKS’ emotional celebration

Interestingly, throughout all the excitement, Shreyas Iyer remained surprisingly serious and composed despite the emotional scenes around him. The Punjab Kings captain barely showed any emotion after hitting the winning runs, almost as if he had not finished the business yet.

He was seen wearing a serious face when he was hugged by Marcus Stoinis, Ness Wadia, Ponting, and others. It was only when Preity Zinta came over and hugged him to finally make him smile. On the other hand, Ness Wadia also hugged every single member of his team, soaking in the moment of glory with the team he had supported through thick and thin.

Read Also: Shot of the Century! AB de Villiers awestruck by Shreyas Iyer's boundary off Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker in Qualifier 2

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