Punjab Kings attacking approach backfired in the Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated them by 8 wickets on Thursday (May 29). PBKS were dismantled for 101 after Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected that RCB would bowl first. The Bengaluru franchise have now booked their berth in the finale of the IPL 2025 season on June 3 where they will meet the winner of Qualifier 2.
On a pitch where batting was tricky, PBKS kept attacking which haunted them back as their innings only lasted just 14.1 overs. RCB fast bowlers - Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) and Yash Dayal (2/26) showcased brilliant pace bowling before leg-spinner Suyash Sharma came in and wrapped it up for the visitors taking 3 three wickets.
Also Read - Lowest team totals in IPL playoffs: Punjab Kings script unwanted record as RCB decimate Shreyas Iyer and Co.
It was the first time since 2014 that Punjab Kings qualified and played in a playoff match.
It all began with the wicket of in-form opener Priyansh Arya, who was caught at cover off Dayal. His opening partner Prabhsimran Singh who too has scored 500 runs this year in the IPL went back after getting just 18 off 10. After smashing two fours off Bhuvneshwar, Singh went for a third one and got trapped by the veteran bowler.
It then came to the captain, Shreyas Iyer. He has been the center of success for PBKS this year but could deliver in the Qualifier 1 as he got outfoxed by Hazlewood. He went for a big shot against the Aussie and was done for pace, nicking it back to the keeper. Josh Inglis was the next one to walk back as he tried to counter-attack once again.
The Punjab Kings’ batting collapse was further accelerated as their batters kept swinging for big shots despite the situation.
Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma capitalized on their recklessness. Both Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17) and Shashank Singh attempted slog sweeps against his deceptive googlies but failed to connect cleanly.
Musheer Khan, making a surprise IPL debut as an Impact Player amidst a top-order meltdown, also fell trying to sweep Suyash, who got the ball to turn sharply.
RCB in response got off to a flying start before Kyle Jamieson dismissed Virat Kohli for run-a-ball 12. Phil Salt and impact substitute Mayank Agarwal then powered RCB to 61/1 in the powerplay. The duo added 54 for the second wicket before PBKS impact substitute got RCB's impact substitute. Agarwal was caught by Shreyas Iyer for 19(13). Salt then went to slam a 23-ball half-century in the next over and Rajat Patidar then wrapped the show with a maximum.
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