What began as a promising encounter quickly turned into a nightmare for the hosts, as RCB’s disciplined bowling attack ran riot, dismantling Punjab’s batting lineup with clinical precision

Opting to field first, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar`s decision paid off almost immediately. Punjab Kings never found momentum, collapsing for a meagre 101 runs in just 14.1 overs. The total is now tied for the third-lowest in IPL playoff history, equaling Lucknow Super Giants` 101 in the 2023 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians

From the outset, Punjab’s batters appeared overwhelmed by the occasion and the accuracy of RCB’s attack. The top order disintegrated within the powerplay, with Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and skipper Shreyas Iyer all falling cheaply. Iyer, the team’s leading run-scorer this season, once again failed to overcome his Mullanpur woes, departing for just two after edging a rising delivery from his long-time nemesis Josh Hazlewood to the keeper

Marcus Stoinis was the only batter to show any resistance for Punjab, scoring a brisk 26. But with wickets tumbling around him at alarming frequency, even his brief fightback was never going to be enough to mount a recovery. Punjab were reduced to 50 for five within the first seven overs and never looked like posting a competitive total

Hazlewood was ably supported by Yash Dayal (2/26) and veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), who applied relentless pressure from the other end. However, the standout performer was young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who bamboozled the middle order and returned with a match-winning spell of 3/17