Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) put up a valiant effort after some early setbacks, but their challenge for a big total ultimately fell short. In a high-stakes encounter at New Chandigarh, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl, putting the pressure on PBKS’s batting line-up from the outset.
With the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, and Marcus Stoinis all contributing vital runs in the middle, Punjab Kings were able to post a competitive total. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, and despite a solid late-order partnership, PBKS fell short of reaching the 200-run mark.
Here’s a detailed look at how the match unfolded, the pivotal moments that shaped the game, and how PBKS fell short in their chase to post a bigger score.
RCB’s Early Success: A Dominant Start with the Ball
The decision to bowl first proved to be a wise one for RCB. The opening bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, quickly found their rhythm on the New Chandigarh pitch. Hazlewood, in particular, was in scintillating form, using his pace and bounce to trouble the PBKS batsmen. He removed both openers, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, within the first six overs, putting the pressure on the middle-order.
At 30 for 2, PBKS were on the back foot. Shreyas Iyer tried to stabilize the innings, but with the required run rate climbing, RCB‘s bowlers kept the pressure high. Iyer‘s slow but steady 30-run knock came to an end when he was dismissed by Suyash Sharma, one of RCB‘s impact substitutes. At this point, PBKS were struggling at 61 for 3, and the chase for a big total seemed increasingly difficult.
Middle Order Fights Back with Key Contributions
Marcus Stoinis, known for his aggressive batting, entered the fray, looking to stabilize and push the total. His partnership with Nehal Wadhera was crucial as they began to rebuild the innings. Both batsmen worked hard to get the runs ticking over, playing some elegant shots to maneuver the field and find the gaps. Stoinis, who has often been a game-changer for PBKS, finally started to show his class, with some glorious drives and lofted shots off the RCB bowlers. Wadhera, in support, played some key knocks before falling to Hazlewood in the 14th over.
The partnership between Stoinis and Shashank Singh injected some much-needed momentum into the innings. Shashank, known for his big-hitting prowess, made a few quick boundaries, taking the pressure off Stoinis. The two added 40 runs for the fifth wicket, bringing PBKS closer to the 150-run mark. But just when they seemed to be gaining control, RCB‘s bowlers, particularly Hazlewood, turned up the heat. Shashank was dismissed cheaply, and PBKS was reeling at 135 for 6.
Late Flourish: Omarzai and Jamieson Offer Some Resistance
With the lower order coming to the crease, PBKS needed a miracle to cross 200. Azmatullah Omarzai and Kyle Jamieson provided a late flourish. The pair put on a quick-fire 45 runs in the final 4 overs, with both players contributing some powerful hits to the boundary. Omarzai, who was brought in as a replacement for Marco Jansen, showed his batting strength, dispatching the ball to the boundary on several occasions. Jamieson, too, played his part, utilizing his height and strength to send the ball flying.
Despite their best efforts, the pair could not do enough to get their side past the 200-run mark. PBKS finished their innings at 188 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. It was a total that, although competitive, was considered below par given the pitch conditions and the strength of RCB’s batting line-up.
RCB’s Response: Comfortable Chase with a Solid Foundation
With 188 on the board, RCB had a relatively easy task in the second innings. They came out to bat with confidence, knowing that they had the firepower to chase down the target. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt opened the batting, with Kohli in red-hot form this season. The pair started cautiously but soon found their stride. Salt was aggressive from the start, dispatching PBKS‘s bowlers to the boundary.
RCB‘s chase remained on track as Kohli continued to play his usual fluent strokes. He took his time to settle in, while Salt continued to accelerate the scoring rate. However, PBKS‘s bowlers, especially Arshdeep Singh and Harpreet Brar, kept the pressure on, managing to slow down the scoring rate slightly. Still, with the required run rate under control and wickets in hand, RCB appeared confident of crossing the line.
Kohli eventually brought up his half-century in style, with a boundary off Kyle Jamieson, but just when it seemed like RCB were cruising to victory, PBKS managed to get a breakthrough. Salt was dismissed for 45 runs, and the middle order was tested. Still, RCB had enough firepower in Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Romario Shepherd to complete the chase without too much difficulty.
RCB Cruise to Victory: PBKS Fall Short
With RCB needing just 12 runs off the final 15 balls, the game had effectively been decided. Patidar and Livingstone took their team across the line with a series of quick singles and boundaries, and RCB wrapped up the game with 8 balls to spare, winning by 6 wickets. Kohli finished unbeaten on 63 off 46 balls, leading RCB to victory and confirming their place in the IPL 2025 final.
Conclusion: PBKS’ Struggle with Consistency
Despite a valiant effort from their lower order, Punjab Kings’ inability to convert their starts into big scores once again cost them in a crucial match. Their batting line-up, although strong on paper, failed to produce enough runs at the right time, and key wickets fell at regular intervals. With Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy also under scrutiny, PBKS’s hopes of reaching the final were dashed.
Meanwhile, RCB will now look forward to Qualifier 2, where they will face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians, with their eye firmly set on their maiden IPL title.
