In a high-stakes IPL 2025 Qualifier at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) and advanced to the final. After winning the toss and deciding to bowl, RCB’s bowlers ripped through the PBKS batting lineup, limiting them to 101 runs in 14.1 overs. RCB easily chased down the mark in just ten overs, winning by eight wickets.
After losing Priyansh Arya early for 7, the Punjab Kings never seemed to relax. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal combined to break the back of the PBKS innings. Dayal shone with figures of 4-0-26-2, while Hazlewood’s 3/21 produced crucial breakthroughs. Suyash Sharma’s 3/17 ensured that PBKS never recovered, and despite brief resistance from Stoinis (26 off 17) and Azmatullah (18 off 12), Punjab were bowled out for 101. None of the top-order hitters could capitalise, with captain Shreyas Iyer scoring only two runs.
In response, RCB’s opening duo of Philip Salt and Virat Kohli scored a fast 30 runs before Kohli was removed for 12. Salt maintained his aggressive approach, hitting a scorching 56* off 27 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Mayank Agarwal added 19 off 13 before falling to Musheer Khan, but Rajat Patidar (15* off 8) ensured there were no further problems as RCB finished in 10 overs.
RCB’s decisive victory was based on disciplined bowling and fearless batting, sending a strong statement ahead of the IPL 2025 final. With this victory, RCB now awaits the winner of the second Qualifier, but PBKS must play Qualifier 2 to get to the final. RCB fans will be hopeful that this is finally their year as they chase their first IPL crown.
Here are the milestones achieved during PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025:
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Philip Salt: Third fastest to 1,000 IPL runs- 575 balls.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Fastest chase in IPL Playoffs- 60 balls.
India
