This year’s IPL qualifiers and eliminator have some of the most heroic individual performances for players who single-handedly turned the match in their team’s favour

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 witnessed countless individual performances throughout the season. However, a special shoutout must go to those who performed when it mattered most to ensure their teams make it to the finale. As the year comes to an end, here’s a recap of the top individual performances in the IPL 2025 qualifiers and eliminator.

Punjab Kings vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru clashed against each other in Qualifier I, with Bengaluru coming out on top of Punjab. Batting first, the Punjab faltered at the hands of Bengaluru bowlers, especially Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, who picked three wickets each and contained Punjab within 101 runs. In response, Phil Salt single-handedly took the game away, scoring 56 runs in 27 balls.

Mumbai Indians vs. Gujarat Titans

Fighting for a place in the qualifier II, the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans put on a cracking match that saw both teams come close to victory, but in the end, the Indians emerged victorious.

(Credit- Revsportz)

The game was more about strong batting performances than bowling. From Mumbai, Rohit Sharma’s 81 runs in 50 balls and Jonny Bairstow’s 47 runs in 22 balls were the highlights.

In response, Sai Sudharsan scored 80 runs in 49 balls, whereas Washington Sundar made 48 off 24 balls. However, despite their efforts, Gujarat reached 208 runs, short of the target of 228 set by the Mumbai Indians.

Punjab Kings vs. Mumbai Indians

(Credit- Pratidintv)

Having lost the Qualifier I, a determined Punjab Kings took on the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, hoping to play their second-ever IPL final. However, once again, the game went in the batters’ favour as the Mumbai Indians hit 203 runs. Although no batter scored a hefty innings, players such as Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jonny Bairstow, and Naman Dhir maintained a strike rate of above 150.

Fortunately, unlike Qualifier I, the Punjab batters did not falter in Qualifier II. Skipper Shreyas Iyer played a true captain’s knock, hitting 87 runs in 41 balls, whereas Nehal Wadhera made 48 runs in 29 balls. Ahead of Iyer, Josh Inglis also made a valuable contribution of 38 from 21 deliveries. The heroic performances of these three players helped Punjab defeat Mumbai and reach the final.

Eventually, Punjab lost the final, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL title.