RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final with Dominant Win over Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have secured a place in the IPL 2025 final with a commanding victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1, held on May 29 (Thursday) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. Chasing a modest target of 102 runs, RCB achieved the total in just 10 overs, winning the match by 8 wickets and booking their ticket to the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.

This marks RCB’s fourth IPL final appearance and their first in nine years. The team had previously reached the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but ended up as runners-up each time. With this emphatic win, RCB will now face the winner of Qualifier 2, which is scheduled for June 1 in Ahmedabad.

Punjab Kings, despite the loss, will get another chance to qualify for the final. They will play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator match, set to take place on May 30 between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

Punjab’s Batting Collapse

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Punjab Kings were bowled out for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs, facing a relentless RCB bowling attack. Their innings began on a poor note, losing four wickets in the powerplay itself. The first wicket fell in the second over when Yash Dayal dismissed Priyansh Arya for 7. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then sent back Prabhsimran Singh for 18.

Captain Shreyas Iyer was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood for just 2 runs, and Josh Inglis followed soon after, also falling to Hazlewood for 4. At 38 for 4 in just over five overs, Punjab’s innings was in shambles.

The collapse continued as Nehal Wadhera was bowled by Yash Dayal. RCB’s young spinner Suyash Sharma then took over, claiming three crucial wickets. In a single over, he dismissed Shashank Singh (3) and ‘Impact Player’ Mushir Khan (0), before also taking the key wicket of Marcus Stoinis, who was the only batter to put up a fight with a quickfire 26 off 17 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes). The last two wickets—Harpreet Brar and Azmatullah Omarzai—also fell cheaply.

Only Stoinis, Prabhsimran, and Omarzai reached double figures. RCB’s bowling was outstanding: Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma took three wickets each, Yash Dayal picked up two, and Romario Shepherd and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed one apiece.

RCB’s Confident Chase

RCB’s chase got off to a slightly shaky start as Virat Kohli was dismissed early for 12, caught behind by Josh Inglis off Kyle Jamieson. At that point, the score was 30. However, a 54-run partnership between Phil Salt and ‘Impact Player’ Mayank Agarwal steadied the innings.

Mayank scored 19 before being dismissed by Mushir Khan. After that, Phil Salt continued his aggressive batting, finishing unbeaten on 56 off just 27 balls, smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes. He was well supported by Rajat Patidar, who remained not out on 15. Together, they ensured RCB crossed the target in just 10 overs, sealing a one-sided win.

Final Awaits in Ahmedabad

With this clinical performance, RCB has not only booked a place in the IPL 2025 final but also made a strong statement of intent. They now await the winner of Qualifier 2 to be played between Punjab Kings and the Eliminator winner.

Can RCB finally break their title drought after three unsuccessful finals? Fans will be eagerly watching when the final unfolds on June 3 in Ahmedabad.

Eliminator: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians – Match Preview

Date & Time: May 30, 2025 | 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh

The high-stakes Eliminator clash in the IPL 2025 playoffs will see Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians on Thursday, May 30. Both teams will be fighting for survival, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 and the loser exiting the tournament.

🔹 Gujarat Titans Squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Gerald Coetzee, R. Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar, Jayant Yadav, Dasun Shanaka, Karim Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar, Nishant Sindhu.

🔹 Mumbai Indians Squad:
Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (Wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Charith Asalanka, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwani Kumar, Karn Sharma, Raj Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Robin Minz, Arjun Tendulkar, Raghu Sharma, Krishnan Shrijith, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Richard Gleeson, Reece Topley.