Shreyas Iyer’s string of misfortunes in tournament finals continued as his team, SoBo Mumbai Falcons, suffered a five-wicket defeat to Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals in the final of the 2025 Mumbai T20 League. Played under lights at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, the clash saw Maratha Royals chase down a target of 158 with four balls to spare, securing the title in style.
This latest loss adds to a growing list of heartbreaks for Iyer, coming just nine days after he led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final — only to be defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The twin disappointments highlight a challenging season for the experienced batter, who has struggled to convert final appearances into silverware.
Maratha Royals, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, made early inroads into the Falcons’ lineup. Angkrish Raghuvanshi was the first to fall, scoring just seven runs from 12 balls without hitting a single boundary. His dismissal in the fifth over was soon followed by the exit of fellow opener Ishan Mulchandani (20), bowled by Aditya Dhumal in the very next over.
Iyer, coming in at number three, failed to make an impact. He scratched his way to 12 runs off 17 balls before being dismissed in the 12th over, leaving the Falcons struggling at 72 for 4. However, Mayuresh Tandel and Harsh Aghav turned the tide with a composed 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Tandel remained unbeaten on 50, while Aghav contributed a valuable 45 not out, pushing the Falcons to a respectable 157 for 4 in their 20 overs.
In response, the Maratha Royals never looked under serious pressure despite losing key wickets. Captain Siddhesh Lad (15) and Sahil Bhagwanta Jadhav (22) fell during the chase, but the middle order absorbed the pressure efficiently. The Royals paced their innings smartly, eventually overhauling the target in 19.2 overs.
With this win, Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals lifted the Mumbai T20 League trophy, capping off a strong campaign. For Shreyas Iyer, however, it was another night of what-ifs, and yet another final where the title slipped just out of reach.
