Royal Challengers Bengaluru advanced to the Finals of the present Indian Premier League with a stunning eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

RCB grabbed command of the proceedings after choosing to field first. PBKS lost four wickets at the end of the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh (18 off 10) was the only batsman in the top five who reached double digits. Suyash Sharma left an immediate impression with the ball. The leg-spinner started with a double-wicket over. He dismissed Shashank Singh (three of five) and Musheer Khan (0 of three).

Suyash reappeared in his next over and dismissed Punjab’s top scorer, Marcus Stoinis. The Australian power-hitter had to return to the pavilion after scoring 26 off 17 deliveries. PBKS were eventually bundled over for a meagre 101 in just 14.1 overs. The Shreyas Iyer-led side also batted the fewest overs of any team in IPL Playoff history.

Bengaluru started the run chase with scoring 30/0 at the conclusion of three overs. Kyle Jamieson’s wicket-taking during the powerplay featured the dismissal of Virat Kohli for a run-a-ball 12. Mayank Agarwal joined Phil Salt in the centre. The side’s score reached 61/1 after six overs thanks to the latter’s strong stroke play. The visitors were close to achieving victory.

Agarwal (19 off 13) was Musheer Khan’s first IPL wicket. However, the situation was one of “too little, too late”. Salt remained unbeaten with 56 from 27 deliveries. This marked his fourth half-century of the season. Meanwhile, captain Rajat Patidar remained unbeaten, scoring 15 off eight deliveries as RCB’s clinical performance saw them win with half their overs remaining.

IPL 2025 Hilarious reactions from PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur Cricket Stadium: