PBKS vs RCB Highlights: IPL 2025 Qualifier 1

Key Points

RCB defeated PBKS by 8 wickets in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 on May 29, 2025, in Mullanpur, advancing to the final.
PBKS scored 101 runs, with RCB’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, dominating.
RCB chased 102 in 10 overs, with Phil Salt’s 56* off 27 balls being pivotal.
The match set a record for the biggest win by balls remaining (60) in IPL playoffs.

Match Summary

Date and Venue: The match occurred on May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

Toss and Decision: RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first, a strategy that paid off.

PBKS Innings: PBKS struggled, scoring only 101 runs in 14.1 overs before being bowled out. Marcus Stoinis top-scored with 26, supported by Prabhsimran Singh (18) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18). RCB’s bowling was led by Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17), with Yash Dayal (2/26) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) also contributing. By the seventh over, PBKS were at 50/5, highlighting their collapse.

RCB Innings: Chasing 102, RCB finished at 106/2 in just 10 overs. Phil Salt’s explosive 56* off 27 balls, including six fours and three sixes, was crucial, reaching his fifty in 23 balls—his fastest in the IPL. Rajat Patidar remained not out on 15, hitting the winning six. Mayank Agarwal scored 19, and Virat Kohli made 12. RCB’s powerplay yielded 61/1, setting a strong foundation.

Outcome: RCB advanced to the IPL 2025 final for the fourth time, their first since 2016, while PBKS will face the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2. The victory was historic, with RCB breaking the record for the biggest win by balls remaining (60) in IPL playoff history.

Player of the Match: Suyash Sharma was named Player of the Match for his 3/17 spell, dismantling PBKS’s middle order.

Post-Match Insights: PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the batting collapse, saying, “We have lost the battle, but not the war,” and emphasized regrouping. Phil Salt credited his aggressive approach, focusing on reacting to the ball and avoiding dismissal by Arshdeep Singh.

For video highlights, check sports platforms like the official IPL website or YouTube channel.

Comprehensive Match Analysis

This section provides a detailed examination of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), held on May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The match, pivotal for determining a direct entry into the IPL final, showcased RCB’s dominance, resulting in an 8-wicket victory with 60 balls to spare, setting a new record for the biggest win by balls remaining in IPL playoff history.

Match Context and Setup

The IPL 2025 playoffs lineup saw RCB finishing second and PBKS topping the table, both with 19 points but PBKS having a better net run rate, as detailed in IPL 2025 playoffs lineup. This match was crucial, with RCB aiming for their fourth final appearance and first since 2016, while PBKS sought to secure a direct final spot.

Toss and Initial Strategy

RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by the pitch conditions offering seam movement and extra bounce, as noted in PBKS vs RCB Highlights. This choice proved strategic, allowing RCB to exploit PBKS’s batting vulnerabilities early.

PBKS Batting: A Dismal Display

PBKS’s innings was a tale of collapse, finishing at 101/10 in 14.1 overs. The top order faltered, with early wickets falling to RCB’s disciplined bowling. Marcus Stoinis was the highest scorer with 26, followed by Prabhsimran Singh (18) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18), as per PBKS vs RCB Cricket Scorecard. By the seventh over, PBKS were at 50/5, a testament to RCB’s bowling prowess, particularly Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17), with Yash Dayal (2/26) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) supporting, as reported in RCB beat PBKS.

The pitch conditions, offering seam movement and extra bounce, were exploited by RCB, with PBKS’s poor shot selection contributing to their low total, one of the lowest in IPL playoff history, as mentioned in PBKS vs RCB Awards List.

RCB’s Dominant Chase

RCB’s chase was clinical, reaching 106/2 in 10 overs. Phil Salt’s innings was the highlight, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls at a strike rate of 207.40, including six fours and three sixes, reaching his fifty in 23 balls—his fastest in the IPL, as per Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Highlights. Rajat Patidar remained not out on 15, sealing the victory with a six off Musheer Khan. Mayank Agarwal scored 19 before being dismissed, and Virat Kohli contributed 12, as detailed in PBKS vs RCB Highlights.

RCB’s powerplay was particularly dominant, scoring 61/1 after 6 overs, setting the stage for an easy chase, as noted in RCB vs PBKS Cricket Scorecard.

Key Performances and Records

Suyash Sharma’s spell of 3/17 was match-defining, earning him the Player of the Match award, as per PBKS vs RCB Awards List. Josh Hazlewood also shone with 3/21, with Cricinfo’s MVP rating him at 74.45 points, as seen in RCB beat PBKS.

The match set a new IPL playoff record, with RCB winning by 60 balls remaining, as reported in multiple sources, including PBKS vs RCB Highlights.

Player Replacements and Debuts

Notable changes included RCB bringing in Mayank Agarwal for Suyash Sharma in the second innings (3.2 overs), and PBKS introducing Musheer Khan, who made his T20 debut, replacing Prabhsimran Singh in the first innings (8.2 overs), as per RCB beat PBKS.

Post-Match Reactions

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the collapse, stating, “We have lost the battle, but not the war,” emphasizing the need to regroup for Qualifier 2, as per PBKS vs RCB Highlights. Phil Salt, on the other hand, credited his aggressive approach, focusing on reacting to the ball and avoiding dismissal by Arshdeep Singh, as noted in Sportstar Match Highlights.

Statistical Breakdown

Below is a table summarizing key statistics from the match:

Aspect	PBKS	RCB
Total Runs	101/10 (14.1 overs)	106/2 (10 overs)
Top Scorer	Marcus Stoinis (26)	Phil Salt (56*)
Bowling Highlights	–	Hazlewood 3/21, Sharma 3/17
Powerplay Score	–	61/1 after 6 overs
Balls Remaining at Win	–	60

This table highlights RCB’s dominance in both bowling and batting, with PBKS unable to mount a significant challenge.

Outcome and Implications

RCB’s victory marked their fourth final appearance and first since 2016, as per Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Highlights. PBKS, despite the loss, have another opportunity in Qualifier 2, facing the winner of the Eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, as outlined in IPL 2025 playoffs lineup.

Viewing Highlights

For those interested in watching the highlights, they are available on various sports platforms, including the official IPL website (IPL 2025 M37 Highlights, though note this is for Match 37, not Qualifier 1) and YouTube channels dedicated to cricket, ensuring fans can relive the key moments.

This comprehensive analysis covers all facets of the match, providing a detailed narrative for cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike, ensuring a thorough understanding of the game’s dynamics and outcomes.