IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: RCB’s pack of wolves depart PBKS battered in their very own yard | Cricket Information

TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: On the innings break, Punjab Kings (PBKS) gamers posed for the digital camera. The second their faces hit the massive screens, it instructed the story of the 85 minutes they’d simply endured in opposition to a charged-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL playoffs on the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.The faces of the Punjab Kings gamers mentioned all of it — battered, dejected, bruised, and in full disbelief at what had simply hit them. The celebs of the present? The RCB bowlers.After being put in to bat first, PBKS have been annihilated by the RCB assault, bundled out for simply 101 in 14.1 overs. Every part RCB touched on the evening turned to gold — barring one weird overview.RCB have been merely excellent with the ball, and each bowler chipped in. Whether or not it was Yash Dayal (2/26), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Suyash Sharma (3/17), or Romario Shepherd (1/5) — they hunted down the PBKS batters like a pack of wolves. Their execution, aggression, and fielding depth utterly smothered Punjab.RCB put their our bodies on the road, executed each plan to perfection, and introduced relentless vitality onto the sector — placing PBKS right into a deep sleep.

Whereas RCB’s bowlers have been top-class, Punjab contributed closely to their very own downfall with some atrocious cricket. There have been loads of mushy dismissals, a flurry of rash photographs, and the tip consequence was plain for all to see.PBKS have been in such a rush, they lasted solely 14.1 overs in a 20-over innings — the shortest batting innings in IPL playoff historical past. The earlier low was Delhi Capitals’ 16.1 overs in opposition to Rajasthan Royals within the IPL 2008 semifinal.Solely Prabhsimran Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Azmatullah Omarzai managed to achieve double digits, with Stoinis top-scoring with a 17-ball 26.The collapse started with the mushy dismissal of Priyansh Arya, who had punished deliveries exterior off stump all through the match. However taking part in away from the physique to a ball with further bounce, he checked his shot and supplied a easy catch to Krunal Pandya at cowl. Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer adopted with an identical hoicks to keeper Jitesh Sharma.Josh Hazlewood, getting back from an damage layoff, picked up three huge wickets — Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, and Azmatullah Omarzai.Suyash Sharma, who hadn’t been at his finest in current matches, spun an online round Punjab’s decrease center order — eradicating Shashank Singh, influence sub Musheer Khan (for a duck), and the massive fish, Marcus Stoinis.

Romario Shepherd got here in to bowl the 14th over and capped it off by breaking Harpreet Brar’s off stump, summing up PBKS’s horror night with the bat.Chasing a modest whole, RCB have been off the blocks like they’d a flight to catch to Ahmedabad that very evening. Driving on Phil Salt’s 27-ball 56, they chased it down with eight wickets in hand and 60 balls to spare. The win helped RCB cruise into the IPL 2025 ultimate.Arshdeep Singh leaked 24 runs from his first two overs. The lanky Kyle Jamieson briefly introduced the silent Punjab Kings followers again into the sport after dismissing Virat Kohli — in related vogue to the best way he obtained him out in the course of the inaugural World Take a look at Championship (WTC) ultimate in 2021 at Southampton. Additional bounce from a short-of-length supply exterior off did the trick once more, with Kohli edging behind for Josh Inglis to finish the catch.The wicket did not deter Phil Salt, who was at his attacking finest, smashing PBKS bowlers throughout the park. The profitable six got here off skipper Rajat Patidar’s bat.Punjab Kings will now face the winner of Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, whereas RCB will take pleasure in a break and wait to play the ultimate on June 3.