IPL 2025: Punjab Kings and RCB Clash in High-Stakes Battle for Final Spot

Chandigarh – Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to face off in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 at Mullanpur on Thursday, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two equally matched sides chasing their maiden IPL title.

For PBKS, this is their first appearance in the playoffs since 2014 — the year they dominated the league stage but faltered in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB’s last top-two finish came in 2016, when they too lost the final, that time to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both teams have endured years of playoff heartbreak, but 2025 has brought a fresh wave of hope for their long-suffering fans.

Punjab’s resurgence this season has been driven by a strong core of uncapped Indian players. Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Harpreet Brar have emerged as consistent performers, adding both stability and spark to the team. Their fearless approach has allowed PBKS to shed the tag of underachievers.

RCB, meanwhile, have transformed their identity. Once known for being a top-heavy side dependent on a few stars, they are now led by the composed Rajat Patidar, with Jitesh Sharma as his deputy. Both have limited international experience but have thrived in the IPL this season, guiding RCB to a top-two finish with composure and tactical maturity.

Injuries remain a concern for both camps. PBKS leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to return after missing two matches with a wrist niggle. RCB are set to welcome back Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has recovered from a shoulder issue. However, both teams will be missing key overseas players. All-rounder Marco Jansen has flown back to South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship Final, while RCB’s power-hitter Tim David is doubtful due to a hamstring injury.

Their last meeting at this venue adds an extra layer of intrigue. In that match, RCB secured a win, with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73. Kohli’s animated celebration in front of Shreyas Iyer stirred controversy and heightened the rivalry. With both players leading the run charts for their teams this season, the Kohli-Iyer dynamic is once again in the spotlight.

Kohli has been outstanding, amassing 608 runs at a strike rate of 147.91. Iyer, too, has scored heavily, with 514 runs at a strike rate of 171.90. However, Iyer’s form at Mullanpur has been underwhelming, managing just 25 runs in four innings. His struggles against specific RCB bowlers are notable — Hazlewood has dismissed him three times in just 19 deliveries, conceding only nine runs.

PBKS will need to rethink their team balance in Jansen’s absence. They could turn to Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai to offer all-round capabilities, or bring in pacers like Xavier Bartlett or Vijaykumar Vyshak. Maintaining the right mix of bowling depth and batting firepower will be crucial.

RCB might face a tough call too — fitting Hazlewood back into the playing XI could mean benching Sri Lankan quick Nuwan Thushara, who impressed in their last outing against Lucknow Super Giants. The final overseas combination could prove decisive.

The head-to-head record between PBKS and RCB reflects their close contest — Punjab have won 18 times, while Bengaluru have 17 victories in 35 matches. Thursday’s match is expected to be just as tightly fought.

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has produced varied conditions this season. While early matches saw high scores crossing 200, the last few games have been low-scoring affairs, with teams getting bundled out for 111 and even 95. The pitch remains unpredictable, though stable weather is forecast, with temperatures around 30°C and no rain expected.

The stakes are high — the winner of Qualifier 1 will go straight into the IPL 2025 final. The loser will still have a second chance, facing the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2. But both PBKS and RCB will be eager to secure the direct route and avoid another pressure-filled knockout.

RCB might carry a psychological edge from their last win at this venue, but PBKS will enjoy strong home support in Mullanpur. With two in-form teams, unpredictable pitch conditions, and a shared history of near-misses, the stage is set for a gripping contest.

Match Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 29
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh
• Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar

Squads:

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Azmatullah Omarzai, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Blessing Muzarabani.