Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a statement performance in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, crushing Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 8 wickets at the Mullanpur stadium to reach their first IPL final in nine years138. This one-sided contest was marked by RCB’s clinical bowling, sharp fielding, and a blazing run chase led by Phil Salt.
Match Overview
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
- Result: RCB won by 8 wickets with 60 balls remaining
- PBKS: 101 all out (14.1 overs)
- RCB: 106/2 (10 overs)
How the Match Unfolded
Punjab Kings’ Batting Collapse
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first—a bold move, given that teams batting first had won three of the last four night games at this venue6. The decision paid off immediately:
- Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma were the chief destroyers, each picking up three wickets18.
- PBKS lost opener Priyansh Arya in the second over and never recovered. By the ninth over, they were reeling at 60/61.
- Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17), Prabhsimran Singh (18), and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) were the only batters to reach double figures.
- Debutant Musheer Khan was out for a duck, compounding PBKS’s woes1.
- Punjab’s aggressive approach backfired, and they were bowled out for just 101 in 14.1 overs—one of the lowest totals in IPL playoff history28.
RCB’s Dominant Chase
Chasing a modest 102, RCB made their intentions clear from the outset:
- Virat Kohli struck a few crisp boundaries before falling for 12, but by then, RCB had already raced to 304.
- Phil Salt took charge, hammering an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes, notching up his fourth fifty of the season and his fastest in IPL (off 23 balls)16.
- Rajat Patidar (23*) provided steady support as RCB wrapped up the chase in only 10 overs, winning with a record 60 balls to spare—the largest margin by balls remaining in IPL playoff history26.
Key Stats & Records
| Stat/Record | Detail |
| Largest win by balls remaining in playoffs | 60 balls (RCB, 2025 Qualifier 1) |
| Top RCB bowler | Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Suyash Sharma (3/17) |
| Top RCB batter | Phil Salt (56* off 27) |
| PBKS top scorer | Marcus Stoinis (26) |
| PBKS all out for | 101 in 14.1 overs |
| RCB’s last IPL final appearance | 2016 |
What This Means
- RCB advances directly to the IPL 2025 final, set for Tuesday, with a four-day break to prepare and recover13.
- PBKS will play the winner of the Eliminator (Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians) in Qualifier 2 for another shot at the final18.
- Both teams had finished the league stage with 19 points each, but RCB peaked at the right time, winning all seven of their away games this season39.
Expert Insights
- RCB’s bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, using movement and bounce to dismantle Punjab’s lineup6.
- Phil Salt’s aggressive approach took the pressure off the chase and ensured there were no slip-ups16.
- PBKS’s ultra-attacking batting, which worked earlier in the season, proved costly under playoff pressure1.
Looking Ahead
RCB now has a golden opportunity to end their long wait for an IPL title, while PBKS will need to regroup quickly for their do-or-die clash in Qualifier 2. With both teams still chasing their maiden IPL crown, the final stages of IPL 2025 promise high drama and excitement.
In summary:
RCB’s all-round dominance, record-setting win, and Phil Salt’s fireworks have set up a blockbuster IPL final. Fans can expect more thrilling action as the tournament heads toward its grand conclusion12368.
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