RCB dismiss PBKS for their lowest total in IPL 2025
The Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 saw a thrilling encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Mullanpur Stadium on Thursday. In a stunning upset, RCB dismissed PBKS for their lowest total in the tournament, handing them a crushing defeat. The visitors were bowled out for a paltry 101 in 14.1 overs, with Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma claiming three wickets each for RCB.
Marcus Stoinis top-scored for PBKS with a 17-ball 26, but it was a lone hand in the face of a formidable RCB bowling attack. The hosts’ batsmen struggled to cope with the pace and swing of RCB’s bowlers, with only two batsmen reaching double figures.
RCB’s bowlers were clinical in their approach, with Hazlewood and Sharma sharing seven wickets between them. Hazlewood’s 3/16 in 3.1 overs was particularly impressive, as he picked up the wickets of PBKS’ openers, Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill, in quick succession. Sharma, on the other hand, took 3/21 in 3 overs, snapping up the wickets of PBKS’ middle-order batsmen, Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone.
The RCB bowlers’ accuracy and discipline were the key to their success, as they consistently beat the PBKS batsmen with their pace and swing. The hosts’ batsmen struggled to rotate the strike, and the pressure of the RCB bowlers’ attack eventually told.
In response, RCB’s batsmen made light work of the target, reaching the winning mark in just 10.1 overs. Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell provided a steady start, adding 34 runs off 5.1 overs before Kohli was dismissed for 17. Maxwell then took charge, scoring an unbeaten 43 off 25 balls to guide RCB to a convincing victory.
With this win, RCB have booked a spot in the IPL 2025 final, where they will face either Hyderabad or Mumbai, who will contest the second qualifier. PBKS, on the other hand, will have to regroup and prepare for the eliminator against the losing team from the second qualifier.
The victory is a testament to RCB’s strong bowling unit, which has been one of the key factors behind their success in the tournament. Hazlewood and Sharma’s three-wicket hauls were crucial in restricting PBKS to a low total, and RCB’s batsmen did the rest with ease.
For PBKS, this loss is a major setback, and they will need to go back to the drawing board to work on their batting and bowling strategies. The team’s inability to rotate the strike and their struggles against the RCB bowlers were major issues that need to be addressed.
In conclusion, RCB’s win over PBKS was a clinical performance, showcasing the team’s strength and depth. The bowlers were outstanding, and the batsmen did their job with ease. PBKS, on the other hand, will need to regroup and work on their weaknesses if they are to make a comeback in the tournament.
