Ahmedabad, March 25: Punjab Kings started their 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with an impressive 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.

Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 97, along with key contributions from Priyansh Arya and Shashank Singh, helped the visitors post a massive total of 243/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by Gujarat Titans. In response, Gujarat Titans’ chase of 244 started off cautiously, as openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan struggled against Punjab's dangerous bowling attack from Arshdeep Singh and Azmatullah Omarzai. However, Gill started accelerating in an attempt to keep up with the rising required run-rate.

Glen Maxwell, who had a forgettable night, setting a new IPL record for most ducks (having surpassed Dinesh Karthik), gave Punjab their first breakthrough in the powerplay’s final over. He dismissed Gill, who edged a delivery that ballooned up and was caught by cover point.

Jos Buttler, making his debut for Gujarat Titans after spending the last seven seasons with Rajasthan Royals, took his time in the middle overs, allowing Sudharsan to counterattack. Sudharsan, after a slow start, accelerated to his seventh IPL half-century off 31 balls. He reached 74 runs, which included five boundaries and six sixes, before falling to Arshdeep.

Gujarat Titans sent in their Impact Player, Sherfane Rutherford, who started strong with two sixes and a four off Marcus Stoinis. At 70 runs required from 30 deliveries, Punjab’s death bowling took control, restricting Gujarat to just 12 runs from the next two overs. Buttler, who scored his 20th half-century, was dismissed by Marco Jansen, bringing Rahul Tewatia to the crease with a daunting task ahead.

In the end, the equation proved too difficult for Gujarat, and Tewatia was dismissed on the very first delivery when he left the crease. Rutherford’s attempt at a straight shot was bowled out by Arshdeep, sealing Punjab’s victory.

In Punjab's innings, debutant Priyansh Arya made an exciting start, especially benefiting from a dropped catch by Arshad Khan in the second over. He took on Gujarat’s bowlers, especially after Prabhsimran Singh’s early dismissal. Arya’s aggressive batting, including a 21-run over off Arshad, helped set the platform. However, Shubman Gill turned to his star spinner, Rashid Khan, who dismissed Arya after he top-edged a big shot.

Sai Kishore then made an impact, first dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai and then removing Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck. After some deliberation, Maxwell chose not to review his LBW dismissal, which was later confirmed to be marginally missing the stumps.

However, Iyer steered Punjab to safety with a 57-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis before Stoinis fell to Kishore. Iyer and Shashank Singh continued to pile on runs, putting together a 71-run partnership off just 28 deliveries. Iyer finished unbeaten at 97, while Shashank played an explosive cameo, scoring 44 off 16 balls, with five boundaries in the final over.

Iyer was just three runs shy of his maiden IPL century when Punjab ended at 243/5.

Brief scores:

• Punjab Kings: 243/5 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 97*, Priyansh Arya 47; Sai Kishore 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 1-41, Rashid Khan 1-48)

• Gujarat Titans: 232/5 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 74, Jos Buttler 54, Sherfane Rutherford 46; Arshdeep Singh 2-36, Marco Jansen 2-44)

• Result: Punjab Kings won by 11 runs