Royal Challengers Bengaluru cruised into the final of the IPL 2025 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday. It was a clinical all-round performance by the Bengaluru side, who asserted their dominance from the very first ball.

After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first, a decision that was swiftly vindicated as his bowlers tore through Punjab’s batting line-up. The Kings never managed to find their footing, folding for a mere 101 runs in just 14.1 overs, registering one of the lowest totals in IPL playoff history.

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood led the assault with figures of 3 for 21, removing key batters during the powerplay and setting the tone early. Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma delivered a standout performance, weaving a web around the Punjab middle order and claiming 3 for 17. Yash Dayal chipped in with two crucial scalps, while veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also made his presence felt, returning figures of 1 for 17. At one stage, PBKS were tottering at 50 for 5 by the seventh over, and a collapse seemed inevitable.