Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their spot in the IPL 2025 final with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Thursday.
Match Summary
- Qualifier 1 | IPL 2025
- Punjab Kings – 101 all out in 14.1 overs
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 106/2 in 10 overs
- Result: RCB won by 8 wickets
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Punjab Kings had a disastrous outing with the bat, folding for just 101 runs. RCB’s pace attack, led by Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yash Dayal, ripped through the Punjab top order, reducing them to four wickets down inside the powerplay.
Though Marcus Stoinis offered some resistance with a quickfire 26 off 17 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes), his innings was cut short by Suyash Sharma, who impressed with 3 wickets. Punjab failed to recover from the early collapse and were bowled out before completing 15 overs.
Chasing a modest target of 102, RCB suffered an early blow as Virat Kohli fell cheaply. But Phil Salt took control of the innings with an explosive 56 off just 27 balls* (6 fours, 3 sixes), guiding the team home in just 10 overs.
Mayank Agarwal and Rajat Patidar chipped in with useful contributions as RCB sealed the win with eight wickets in hand and 60 balls to spare a statement performance ahead of the final.