Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their nine-year quest for an IPL final ticket with a clinical eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at New Chandigarh. Asked to bat first on a bouncy ground, PBKS crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 101 in 14.1 overs. Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood made it difficult for the Punjab hitters to settle right from the beginning. Suyash Sharma took three wickets as PBKS lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite having hitters up to No. 10, PBKS failed horribly.
In response, RCB effortlessly pursued down the target. Phil Salt hit a 23-ball fifty, his fastest in the IPL, before finishing unbeaten on 56 from 27 balls. Despite losing Virat Kohli early, Salt and Rajat Patidar soon reached the short target, securing victory with 10 overs remaining. PBKS still has a second opportunity when they face the victors of the Eliminator match between the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, RCB has moved one step closer to their first IPL triumph.
Key moments from PBKS v RCB, Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025:
1. Suyash, Hazelwood, Dayal dismantle PBKS out for 101
The bowling trio of RCB Josh Hazelwood, Suyash Sharma and Yash Dayal had a brilliant day on the field as they proved to be too good for the PBKS batters. Sharing eight wickets between them, all three made sure none of the Punjab batters stayed long enough on the pitch.
Welcome back, #JoshHazlewood! ❤️👏🏻#RCB’s strike bowler bags the prized scalp of #ShreyasIyer in his very first over, extending his dominance in this classic matchup! 🔥
LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/B4bnHnppgJ #IPLPlayoffs Qualifier 1 👉 #PBKSvRCB on Star Sports Network &… pic.twitter.com/G2mYI4ZFhp
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 29, 2025
‘Captain Kohli Energy’. Enough Said! 😮💨❤️
That trademark intensity is doing the talking as Leader @imVkohli takes charge & #PBKS are feeling the heat! 🔥
LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/B4bnHnppgJ #IPLPlayoffs | #Qualifier1 👉 #PBKSvRCB on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar!… pic.twitter.com/Orq55pcxKx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 29, 2025
2. Phil Salt’s unbeaten fifty takes RCB over the line
Opener Phil Salt played a delightful innings of 56* to take RCB over the line. His match-winning partnership of 54 with Mayank Agarwal put the team in the driving seat. In his 27-ball knock, he smashed six boundaries and three sixes, playing at a strike rate of 207.40.
Phil’s Assault! 🔥🙌🏻
A fiery start to the chase as #RCB come out all guns blazing, eyeing that FINAL berth in style! 😎
LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/B4bnHnppgJ #IPLPlayoffs | #Qualifier1 👉 #PBKSvRCB on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar!#RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/o0Tmns36oX
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 29, 2025
3. RCB qualify for IPL finals after nine years
The Bengaluru-based franchise finally ended their nine-year wait to find themselves in the summit clash. Being the only team to win all their away games, RCB made sure to continue the record as they once again triumphed IN an away fixture.
