PBKS VS RCB Qualifier-1: RCB’s big win, turning point was Bangalore’s strong batting performance

The first qualifier of IPL 2025 was played between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, where RCB won by 8 wickets. With this victory, she has reached the final. Talk about the turning point of this match, then the Top-Order of Punjab Kings being badly flopped in the powerplay was the turning point of the match.

In the match, RCB won the toss and decided to bowl first and the decision of captain Rajat Patidar proved to be absolutely correct. Punjab Kings lost their four big wickets in Powerplay itself.

Punjab’s bad batting in powerplay

Yash Dayal gave the first blow to Punjab by dismissing opener Priyansh Arya (7) in the second over of the innings. After this, in the next over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar walked Prabhasimran Singh (18), who was in tremendous form. Josh Hazlewood, who is making a comeback, showed captain Shreyas Iyer (2) in the fourth over, and Josh English (4) in the sixth over showed the path of the pavilion.

In this way, the top-order of Punjab Kings was badly demolished inside the powerplay, which could not recover the team and was reduced to 101 runs in 14.1 overs. The eight batsmen of Punjab could not even touch the double figure.

In response, RCB, who came out to chase the target, won by losing two wickets. Phil Silet scored an unbeaten 56 runs while playing a loud innings. Captain Rajat Patidar returned unbeaten after scoring 15 runs. Virat Kohli could score only 12 runs, while Mayank Agarwal contributed 19 runs.

RCB has reached the final after defeating Punjab. However, Punjab has another chance to reach the finals. She will take on the eliminator’s winning team in qualifier-2.