MULLANPUR, MAY 29: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have officially arrived—and how! Rajat Patidar’s fearless men stormed into the IPL 2025 final with a stunning 8-wicket victory over the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, ending a long wait since their last final appearance in 2016.
On a green-tinged Mullanpur pitch tailored for pace and bounce, RCB’s bowlers tore through PBKS like a wrecking ball, dismissing them for a paltry 101 in just 14.1 overs. It was a bowling masterclass, headlined by young leggie Suyash Sharma (3/17) and seasoned pacer Josh Hazlewood (3/21). Early breakthroughs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) and Yash Dayal (2/26) had Punjab reeling at 50/5 within seven overs, a collapse they never recovered from.
“RCB’s Bowling Blitzkrieg Leaves PBKS in Tatters”
Punjab’s batting imploded under pressure, especially in their first playoff appearance since 2014. Skipper Rajat Patidar’s bold decision to bowl first paid off handsomely as the Kings faltered, unable to adapt to the spicy surface. Marcus Stoinis top-scored with 26, but his resistance was brief against RCB’s relentless attack.
“Patidar’s Calm, RCB’s Fire: A Tactical Masterclass”
Patidar, captaining in his debut season, displayed remarkable composure and clarity. He avoided over-complication—no risky spin in the powerplay, no unnecessary bowling shuffles. His trust in his pacers and a textbook approach helped RCB keep Punjab under the hammer.
The chase was never in doubt. Even with Virat Kohli falling in the 4th over to Kyle Jamieson, RCB romped to the target in just 10 overs. Phil Salt led the charge, smashing a blistering unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, including his fastest IPL fifty in just 23 deliveries. Patidar capped off a memorable night by sealing the win with a towering six, remaining not out on 15 off 8 balls.
“Salt & Fire: RCB Batting Makes Quick Work of 102-Run Chase”
This win signals a new era for RCB—no longer reliant solely on Kohli. The 2025 campaign has seen valuable contributions from Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, and Krunal Pandya, all of whom have shouldered responsibility in key moments.
Punjab’s Powerhouse Cracks Under Pressure
The Kings, who had previously shown resilience this season, collapsed under playoff pressure. Reckless shot selection and a lack of game awareness cost them dearly. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh, usually dependable, failed to rescue Punjab when it mattered most.
While this defeat is a bitter pill, PBKS aren’t out of the tournament yet. They will play the winner of the Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans clash in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on May 30.
PBKS captain remained defiant post-match, stating: “We’ve lost the battle, not the war.” But questions loom large over their temperament in high-pressure games—especially after being bundled out in under 15 overs on home turf.
📢 Key Takeaways:
- RCB’s first IPL final appearance since 2016
- PBKS bowled out for 101 in just 14.1 overs
- Salt’s explosive 56 off 27 secures easy chase*
- Suyash Sharma and Hazlewood take 3 wickets each
- RCB to play IPL 2025 Final; PBKS get second shot in Qualifier 2
