Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) players celebrate the wicket of Punjab Kings' (PBKS) Josh Inglis during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 1 cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in New Chandigarh, Thursday, May 29. PTI
Qualifier 1: RCB need 102 runs to reach IPL 2025 final
On a surface where hitting through the line proved to be tricky, the all-out attack strategy of the PBKS contributed to their downfall
Punjab Kings' (PBKS) ultra-aggressive approach backfired as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skittled the home team for a paltry 101 in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 in Mullanpur on Thursday (May 29).
On a surface where hitting through the line proved to be tricky, the all-out attack strategy of the PBKS contributed to their downfall after they were put in to bat. Their innings lasted just 14.1 overs.
Pace trio shines
The RCB pace trio of Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) and Yash Dayal (2/26) exploited the conditions well before leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (3/17) made it worse for the opposition.
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It is to be noted that PBKS are featuring in their first play-off fixture since 2014.
PBKS’ steep slide began when in-form opener Priyansh Arya was caught at cover off Dayal as he couldn't check his drive. His opening partner Prabhsimran Singh (18 off 10) followed him back into the dugout in the following over from Bhuvneshwar.
Having collected two straight boundaries on the charge, Prabhimsran stepped out for a third swipe but Bhuvneshwar pulled his length back to induce the edge.
Musheer's unexpected debut
Captain Shreyas Iyer, who has been central to the team’s success this season, went for a wild slog off Hazlewood on his third ball of the innings but was caught behind. The Australian pacer then sent back his countryman Josh Inglis off a rising ball that the former could not control, creating a sense of panic in the dressing room.
The batters continued to go for their shots to hasten PBKS' slide.
Against leggie Suyash, the likes of Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17) and Shashank Singh went for the slog sweep but could not connect to the googly.
Musheer Khan, making an unexpected IPL debut as an impact player with wickets falling in a heap, too fell to a sweep off Suyash, who got his googly to turn sharply.
Having put up a poor effort with the bat, PBKS would take some confidence from their league stage outing against KKR when they defended 111 on a challenging surface at the same venue.
(With agency inputs)