Royal Challengers Bengaluru took a giant step toward breaking their long-standing title drought with a dominant display — registering the most comprehensive win in IPL playoff history by balls remaining — as they outclassed Punjab Kings in the first qualifier of IPL 2025. With this emphatic victory, RCB secured a spot in their fourth IPL final, reigniting hopes of finally lifting the elusive trophy.
Seventeen years of heartbreak and near misses have led to this moment, and once again, RCB stands on the brink of glory. Set to play at the grandest stage in world cricket on June 3, they’ll be hoping momentum is on their side and destiny leans in their favor. On a night where past inconsistencies gave way to pure dominance, the team rediscovered the fierce identity that has driven their campaign.
It all started with a clinical bowling effort — Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma claimed three wickets each to bundle out PBKS for a mere 101. Phil Salt then ignited the chase with a blistering 27-ball 56, sealing the win with 10 overs and eight wickets remaining.
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Hazlewood’s Comeback Wreaks Havoc on PBKS Top Order
Rajat Patidar, back in the side and leading RCB, made a vital decision at the toss, opting to bowl first on a pitch offering a tinge of grass. His pace attack made full use of both the surface and the helpful overhead conditions, maintaining tight lines and extracting early movement. Yash Dayal laid the foundation, removing Priyansh Arya with a loose drive to cover. Prabhsimran Singh responded with intent, charging Bhuvneshwar Kumar for boundaries over mid-on and mid-off. But the seasoned pacer adapted quickly, shortening his length to find an edge.
The real damage came with the reintroduction of Josh Hazlewood, whose return proved game-changing. He struck twice in rapid succession — first extending his dominance over Shreyas Iyer, who top-edged a reckless slog to the keeper, then removing fellow Aussie Josh Inglis with a short delivery that led to a mistimed pull. Hazlewood’s fiery spell dismantled PBKS’s top order and left them in disarray.
Suyash Spins a Web as PBKS Crumble Under Pressure
Whether through pace or spin, in the PowerPlay or beyond, RCB maintained relentless pressure — helped along by PBKS’s poor shot selection. Nehal Wadhera chopped a delivery from Yash Dayal onto his stumps, opening the door for Suyash Sharma to take control. The young legspinner made an immediate impact, deceiving Shashank Singh with a googly that shattered the stumps just as the batter looked to go on the attack. With the scoreboard reading 60 for 6, PBKS brought in Musheer Khan as their Impact Player, but the debutant’s stay was short-lived — dismissed on the third ball he faced after missing a sweep, giving Suyash his second in the over.
Marcus Stoinis offered brief resistance, hammering a six, but soon fell to another well-disguised googly while attempting a slog-sweep, bowled for 26 off 17. Azmatullah Omarzai and Harpreet Brar tried to steady the innings with a small stand, but Romario Shepherd broke through with a short ball that deflected off Brar’s forearm into the stumps — the fourth PBKS batter to be bowled. Hazlewood then capped off the innings in the first ball of the 15th over, with Jitesh Sharma soaring to his right to complete a spectacular one-handed catch off yet another edge.
RCB Win the PowerPlay Battle to Set the Tone
The contest was effectively decided within the opening six overs. Leading up to the game, the spotlight was on the PowerPlay clash — PBKS’ aggressive top order squaring off against RCB’s razor-sharp new-ball bowling. Punjab boasted the second-highest run rate in the PowerPlay (10.02), but RCB countered with the tournament’s most economical attack (8.79), the highest dot-ball percentage (43.5%), and the second-lowest number of sixes conceded (28) in this period.
That head-to-head shaped the narrative. With Josh Hazlewood back in the XI, RCB’s attack came out firing, removing four top-order batters within the first six overs and stalling PBKS’ innings before it could gather any momentum.
Phil Salt’s Fiery Assault Ends PBKS Hopes Early
Backed by a passionate home crowd and memories of defending low totals at this venue, PBKS began with intent. However, their energy quickly faded as RCB surged to 30 runs in just three overs. Kyle Jamieson briefly revived their hopes with a brilliant fourth over, swinging the ball prodigiously, finding seam movement, and delivering only the sixth maiden over of the season. He also dismissed Virat Kohli for 12, caught behind, sparking a flicker of optimism. But that was the final breath of PBKS’s resistance, symbolized by Mayank Agarwal’s uncertain three-poke-and-a-leave innings.
From there, it was all Phil Salt. The RCB opener took charge with a flurry of boundaries, starting with a pair of crisp strokes through the offside off Azmatullah Omarzai, who had replaced Marco Jansen. As the ball stopped moving, Salt dismantled Jamieson’s momentum in the sixth over — smashing two sizzling boundaries to both sides of the wicket and finishing the PowerPlay with a towering six over cover. By the end of that over, any doubt about the result had vanished.
RCB Wrap Up Dominant Win with 10 Overs in Hand
Mayank Agarwal showed brief intent, taking on Musheer Khan’s spin with a six and a four, but his resistance was short-lived as he edged behind soon after. From there, it was merely a formality.
Once Phil Salt raced to a blistering 23-ball fifty, Rajat Patidar joined the party, finishing the job in style with a four and a six off Musheer to seal a resounding victory — with 10 overs and eight wickets to spare.
Brief Scores
Punjab Kings: 101 in 14.1 overs (Marcus Stoinis 26; Suyash Sharma 3/17, Josh Hazlewood 3/21)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 106/2 in 10 overs (Phil Salt 56*; Kyle Jamieson 1/27)
Result: RCB won by 8 wickets with 10 overs to spare.
What’s Next for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings?
Both sides now shift base to Ahmedabad. Royal Challengers Bengaluru earn a well-deserved breather and will enjoy a few days of rest and preparation ahead of the IPL 2025 Final on June 3 — their fourth shot at glory, with hopes of finally ending their title drought.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, face a tougher path. They remain in contention but must navigate an extra hurdle — a must-win clash against the winner of tomorrow’s eliminator to earn a rematch with RCB in the final.
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FAQs
Who won the IPL 2025 Qualifier between RCB and PBKS?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL 2025 Qualifier against Punjab Kings by 8 wickets with 10 overs to spare.
How did RCB reach the IPL 2025 Final?
RCB reached the IPL 2025 Final after bowling out PBKS for 101 and chasing it down in just 10 overs, thanks to standout performances by Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Phil Salt.
Who starred in RCB’s dominant playoff win?
Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, while Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma picked up three wickets each to power RCB to victory.
What’s next for RCB and PBKS in IPL 2025?
RCB head to the final on June 3 in Ahmedabad, while PBKS must win the next knockout game to earn a rematch.
