Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the final of IPL 2025 with a dominant eight-wicket triumph over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday. It was a resounding all-round performance by the Bengaluru outfit, who outclassed the hosts in every department to seal a one-sided win and book their place in the title clash.

After winning the toss, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar made the strategic decision to field first, a move that paid off almost instantly. His pace battery came out firing on all cylinders, dismantling the Punjab Kings batting unit with unrelenting accuracy and aggression. The Kings never found their footing and were bundled out for a paltry 101 in just 14.1 overs, a total that now ranks among the lowest in IPL playoff history.

Punjab’s inability to adapt to the surface proved costly, with their top order collapsing inside the powerplay. Marcus Stoinis, with a 26-run cameo, was the only batter to offer any resistance. RCB’s bowling unit was clinical, led by young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma who returned impressive figures of 3/17. He was ably supported by Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Yash Dayal (2/26), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), who all chipped in to reduce Punjab to 50 for 5 by the seventh over.