PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bangalore Secure Final Berth with Eight-Wicket Win Over Punjab Kings

Phil Salt's steady half-century and some top-notch bowling helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cruise to an easy eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 of the 2025 IPL at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. With this win, RCB have booked their spot in the final and become the first team to do so in this season’s tournament.

After choosing to bowl first, the Rajat Patidar-led RCB got off to a strong start, grabbing four wickets inside the powerplay. The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), and Yash Dayal (2/26) made the most of the helpful conditions. Then, leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (3/17) stepped in and added to Punjab’s troubles with a sharp spell of his own.

For the first time in nine years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured a spot in the final of the tournament. They had come close before, reaching the title clash in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but couldn’t lift the trophy. On the flip side, this was Punjab Kings' first appearance in the playoffs since their last run in 2014.

Punjab Kings’ batting troubles started when their in-form opener Priyansh Arya mistimed a drive and was caught at cover off Yash Dayal. Not long after, his opening partner Prabhsimran Singh (18 off 10) was dismissed in the next over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, deepening the early damage.

Prabhsimran Singh, after hitting two quick boundaries, tried to go big again but Bhuvneshwar Kumar smartly pulled his length back, forcing an edge that led to his dismissal. Captain Shreyas Iyer, a key player in Punjab’s campaign this season, attempted a wild slog on just his third delivery and was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood. The Australian quick then dismissed fellow Aussie Josh Inglis with a sharp rising delivery he couldn’t handle, triggering panic in the PBKS camp.

Despite the early collapse, Punjab's batters kept going for their shots, which only sped up their downfall. Against leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, both Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17) and Shashank Singh tried the slog sweep but misread the googly and lost their wickets. Musheer Khan, making a surprise debut as an impact substitute, also fell trying to sweep Suyash, who spun another googly past the bat to continue the damage.

RCB Secures Spot in the Final

In reply, Virat Kohli got going right away with a boundary off the very first ball he faced, while Phil Salt also looked eager to finish things quickly. The pair put together 30 runs in just 3.2 overs before Kohli edged one behind off Kyle Jamieson, who used his height and movement to good effect, troubling Kohli, Salt, and Mayank Agarwal.

Afghan pacer Azmatullah Omarzai, brought into the XI in place of Marco Jansen, backed Jamieson up well during that short but testing phase. But Salt soon broke free, smashing 16 runs off four deliveries from Jamieson to cap off a strong powerplay. Debutant Musheer Khan was then hit for a six and a four before managing to dismiss Mayank Agarwal down the leg side — a decision confirmed by the TV umpire.

RCB stood at 85/2 after 8 overs and needed just 12 more balls to wrap up the chase. Salt remained unbeaten on 56 from 27 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, while skipper Rajat Patidar sealed the deal with a maximum, as RCB continued their dream season by booking a well-earned place in the final.

ALSO READ:  IPL 2025: Updated Orange and Purple Cap standings after the PBKS vs RCB match