May 30, 2025 - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the first qualifier of IPL 2025 yesterday, May 29, and reached the final after nine years. In the match played at Mullanpur, RCB beat PBKS by 8 wickets. After brilliant bowling by the RCB bowlers, the team got a ticket to the final, also thanks to Phil Salt’s unbeaten half-century.

While chasing a small target, RCB lost the wicket of Virat Kohli early, who scored just 12 runs. After that, Salt built a 54-run partnership with Mayank Agarwal. Mayank was dismissed after scoring 19 runs, but Salt kept playing aggressively from the other end. He completed his half-century in just 23 balls.

RCB in IPL Final for Fourth Time

RCB reached the IPL final for the fourth time by chasing the target with eight wickets in hand, finishing the game in the 10th over. Their last final appearance was in 2016. Before that, RCB played the finals in 2009 and 2011.

Decision to Bowl First Pays Off

After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar chose to bowl first. The bowlers justified his decision by taking early wickets. Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood took three wickets each. Suyash gave 17 runs in 3 overs, Hazlewood gave 21 runs in 3.1 overs. Yash Dayal took two wickets for 26 runs in 4 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 1 wicket for 17 runs in 2 overs, and Romario Shepherd took 1 wicket for 5 runs in 1 over.

PBKS Struggles in Powerplay

PBKS had a poor start. Priyansh Arya was out for 7 runs in the second over. Soon after, Prabhsimran Singh (18), Shreyas Iyer (2), and Josh Inglis (4) also got out. Punjab scored only 48 runs in the powerplay while losing 4 wickets and playing 17 dot balls. Suyash took two more wickets in his over, ending Punjab’s chances. Marcus Stoinis tried to fight back with 26 runs, but after he got out, the innings collapsed quickly.

Early Wickets Puts PBKS Under Pressure

In the second over, Dayal took the first wicket by catching opener Arya (7) out, caught by Krunal Pandya. Soon after, Bhuvneshwar got Prabhsimran Singh (18) caught by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma at 27 runs.

RCB Bowlers in Control

Hazlewood bowled well in the powerplay, getting Iyer (2) caught by Jitesh in the fourth over. Inglis (4) was caught by Bhuvneshwar in the sixth over. Punjab Kings scored 48 runs for 4 wickets in the powerplay and played 17 dot balls.

Dayal bowled out Nehal Wadhera (8) in the seventh over. Suyash took two wickets in his ninth over, bowling Shashank Singh (3) and getting Mushir Khan (out LBW). In the 11th over, Suyash took his third wicket by bowling Stoinis (26).

Shepherd bowled Harpreet Brar (4). Azmatullah Umarzai (18) helped Punjab cross 100 runs but was soon caught by Hazlewood off Jitesh. Punjab Kings were all out for 101 runs in 14.1 overs.