RCB Storm into IPL 2025 Final with Dominant Eight-Wicket Win Over Punjab Kings
- RCB crushed Punjab Kings by eight wickets, chasing 102 in just 10 overs to reach the IPL 2025 final.
- Phil Salt starred with an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls; Jamieson and Hazlewood took key wickets for PBKS.
- Punjab Kings were bundled out for 101, one of the lowest IPL playoff totals, now face Qualifier 2 for a final spot.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a commanding spot in the IPL 2025 final after thrashing Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 102, RCB raced to victory in just 10 overs, marking the biggest playoff win in terms of balls remaining.
RCB started strongly, reaching 30 without loss in just three overs. However, Kyle Jamieson delivered a brilliant wicket maiden over, dismissing Virat Kohli and troubling Mayank Agarwal with near edges. Phil Salt then played the match-winning innings, smashing an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes. Captain Rajat Patidar sealed the win with a towering six, finishing the chase emphatically.
For Punjab Kings, Jamieson and Musheer Khan claimed two wickets each, while Josh Hazlewood, making a comeback after missing four matches, took three wickets. Spinner Suyash Sharma, despite earlier expensive spells, also grabbed three wickets. Yash Dayal chipped in with two wickets, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd took one wicket apiece.
Punjab Kings’ innings collapsed early after being sent in to bat. They were bowled out for a mere 101 runs, one of the lowest totals in IPL playoff history. The batting lineup struggled as wickets fell quickly, losing three inside the powerplay and reduced to 50/5 by the seventh over. Marcus Stoinis top-scored for PBKS with 26 runs off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Azmatullah Omarzai and Prabhsimran Singh contributed 18 runs each, while no other batsman reached double figures.
With this comprehensive win, RCB advance to the IPL 2025 final scheduled for June 3. Punjab Kings now face a must-win Qualifier 2 match against the winner of the Eliminator clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans for another chance to reach the final.
The stage is set for a thrilling IPL finale as RCB look to claim the coveted title.
