Match Summary
On May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a commanding performance against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Opting to field after winning the toss, RCB’s bowlers dismantled PBKS, bowling them out for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs. With a target of 102 runs, RCB was in a strong position to secure a spot in the IPL 2025 final, although the exact details of their chase remain unavailable at the time of this report. Given the modest total, it is highly likely that RCB completed the chase comfortably, advancing to the final.
First Innings: PBKS Collapse
RCB’s decision to bowl first proved to be a masterstroke, as their disciplined bowling attack exploited the conditions effectively. The pitch, described as dry and offering turn by Matthew Hayden, favored the bowlers, and RCB capitalized on it. PBKS struggled from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals due to poor shot selection and lack of meaningful partnerships.
PBKS Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priyansh Arya | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 | c Krunal Pandya b Yash Dayal |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 18 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 180.00 | c Jitesh Sharma b Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| Josh Inglis | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 | c Bhuvneshwar Kumar b Josh Hazlewood |
| Shreyas Iyer (c) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 | c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood |
| Nehal Wadhera | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 | b Yash Dayal |
| Marcus Stoinis | 26 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 152.94 | b Suyash Sharma |
| Shashank Singh | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | b Suyash Sharma |
| Musheer Khan | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | lbw b Suyash Sharma |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 18 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 150.00 | c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood |
| Harpreet Brar | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 36.36 | b Romario Shepherd |
| Kyle Jamieson | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | not out |
Extras: 11 (lb: 5, wd: 5, nb: 1)
Total: 101/10 in 14.1 overs (Run Rate: 7.13)
RCB Bowling Performance
RCB’s bowlers were relentless, with Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma leading the charge. Hazlewood’s pace and accuracy accounted for key wickets, including PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, while Sharma’s spin proved lethal in the middle overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 8.50 |
| Yash Dayal | 4 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 6.50 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 3.1 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 6.77 |
| Suyash Sharma | 3 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 5.67 |
| Romario Shepherd | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5.00 |
Second Innings: RCB’s Chase
While the exact details of RCB’s batting performance are not available, the target of 102 runs is considered modest in T20 cricket, especially given RCB’s strong batting lineup, featuring players like Virat Kohli and Philip Salt. Earlier reports suggest that RCB’s openers made light work of similar chases in the season, with Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73 in a previous encounter against PBKS. It is reasonable to infer that RCB completed the chase with several overs to spare, securing their place in the IPL 2025 final.
In a stunning display of cricketing dominance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 8 wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, held at New Chandigarh on Thursday, May 29, 2025. RCB chased down a modest target of 102 runs in just 10 overs, securing their place in the IPL 2025 final with 60 balls to spare. This victory marks RCB’s fourth appearance in an IPL final and their first since 2016, while PBKS, despite their impressive season, will now compete in the Eliminator for a chance to reach the final.
Match Summary
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as their bowlers decimated the PBKS batting lineup. PBKS was bowled out for a paltry 101 runs in 14.1 overs, struggling on a dry pitch that offered turn and movement, as noted by cricket analyst Matthew Hayden, who described it as more of an 180-run pitch than a 200-run one (ESPNcricinfo). The PBKS innings was marked by a catastrophic collapse, losing four wickets in the powerplay, including key players Priyansh Arya (7), Prabhsimran Singh (18), and captain Shreyas Iyer (2). Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18 off 12) provided some late resistance, but it was insufficient to post a competitive total.
RCB’s bowling attack was relentless, with Josh Hazlewood leading the charge, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, including the crucial dismissals of Josh Inglis and Shreyas Iyer. Suyash Sharma exploited PBKS’s struggles against spin, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs, while Yash Dayal (2/26) struck early to set the tone. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also contributed, taking the wicket of Prabhsimran Singh.
In response, RCB’s batting was clinical. Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli started aggressively, putting on 30 runs without loss in the first two overs. Salt was in scintillating form, scoring the quickest fifty of the IPL 2025 season off just 23 balls and finishing unbeaten on 56 off 27 balls, including a match-sealing six (Hindustan Times). Kohli scored 12 off 12 before being dismissed in a Test-like manner, but Rajat Patidar ensured no further hiccups, finishing the chase with a six. RCB reached 106/2 in 10 overs, completing one of the most one-sided victories in IPL playoff history, lasting just 145 balls, the joint-third shortest IPL match (ESPNcricinfo).
Key Performances
The match was defined by standout performances from RCB’s players, with PBKS struggling to make an impact.
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | RCB | 56* (27b, fastest IPL 2025 fifty off 23 balls) |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | 3/21, key wickets including Inglis and Iyer |
| Suyash Sharma | RCB | 3/17, dismissed Stoinis and Musheer Khan |
| Yash Dayal | RCB | 2/26, early wicket of Priyansh Arya |
| Marcus Stoinis | PBKS | 26 (17b, 2×4, 2×6), top scorer for PBKS |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | PBKS | 18 (12b, 1×4, 1×6), late resistance |
| Prabhsimran Singh | PBKS | 18 (10b, 2×4, 1×6), early aggression, out early |
| Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | 2 (4b), captain dismissed early |
- Phil Salt (RCB): His unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, including a half-century in 23 balls, was the cornerstone of RCB’s chase, earning him the Player of the Match award (Sportstar).
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): His disciplined spell of 3/21, including hard lengths, dismantled PBKS’s top order.
- Suyash Sharma (RCB): His 3/17, with wrong’uns that PBKS batsmen failed to pick, was pivotal in the collapse.
- Yash Dayal (RCB): Took 2/26, including the early wicket of Priyansh Arya, setting the tone for RCB’s dominance.
- Marcus Stoinis (PBKS): Top-scored with 26 off 17 balls, but his efforts were in vain as PBKS collapsed.
- Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS): Despite a season tally of 500 runs, he managed only 18 off 10 balls before edging out.
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): The PBKS captain had a forgettable outing, scoring just 2 runs, leaving the team in disarray.
Additional Context
RCB’s victory was a testament to their resurgence in IPL 2025, finishing in the top two for the first time since 2016 and winning all seven of their away games in the league stage. PBKS, reaching the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, matched RCB’s points but led by net run rate. However, their batting frailties were exposed on a challenging surface that offered more movement in the second innings. Both teams were without key players: PBKS missed Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen, while RCB was without Tim David due to a hamstring injury. Impact substitutes, such as Vijaykumar Vyshak and Musheer Khan for PBKS and Mayank Agarwal for RCB, were used, but RCB’s depth proved decisive.
RCB’s clinical performance in Qualifier 1 underscores their readiness for the IPL 2025 final, where they aim to clinch their maiden IPL title. PBKS, despite the setback, showed resilience throughout the season and will look to bounce back in the Eliminator. The match highlighted RCB’s bowling prowess and batting depth, with Phil Salt’s explosive knock and Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling stealing the show. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on RCB as they prepare for the summit clash.
