Two Titans, One Dream: The First Final Spot Up for Grabs
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| Rbc vs Punjab kings race for finals |
Date: May 29, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
Qualifier 1 features two of the most passionate yet title-less teams in IPL history — Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Both teams have tasted the agony of coming close but never lifting the trophy. Now, they are one win away from a shot at glory.
While PBKS were runners-up in 2014, RCB have made the finals thrice (2009, 2011, and 2016), falling short every time. This year, however, both sides have broken stereotypes and arrived at the knockouts with renewed identity and form.
Punjab Kings locked in their top-two spot with a thumping win over Mumbai Indians in their final league game.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, riding on a clutch performance in a high-stakes chase in Lucknow, secured the Qualifier 1 berth just in time.
But as history suggests, momentum often evaporates in high-pressure knockout matches.
Match Conditions
Pitch & Weather: Expect a hot evening with a slight edge to teams batting first. The average first innings score here this season is 173. Three of four games have been won by the side setting a target.
Venue Record: The two sides have won one game apiece this season, with RCB winning the last clash at this very venue — their 7th consecutive away win.
Head-to-Head Record
📊 PBKS vs RCB: PBKS lead narrowly with 18 wins to RCB’s 17.
🏏 Last Meeting: RCB won at Mullanpur earlier this season, but will miss Devdutt Padikkal — the star of that night.
Team Updates & Tactical Preview
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Unavailable: Marco Jansen has returned home for WTC final prep. Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to fill in.
Arshdeep vs RCB openers: Especially Phil Salt, who has fallen to him 4 times in 34 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal vs RCB batters: Could be recalled due to strong numbers against Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal.
Shreyas Iyer is having a stellar season but has struggled in both matches vs RCB.
🧠 PBKS Probable XI: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh / Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Injury Watch:
Josh Hazlewood is likely to return from injury — a big boost for RCB's bowling.
Tim David is doubtful due to a hamstring issue.
Key Tactical Notes:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs PBKS top order: Excellent numbers vs Prabhsimran & Shreyas Iyer.
PowerPlay Battle: RCB lead the league in bowling economy during the PowerPlay, while PBKS boast the second-best scoring rate in this phase.
🔥 RCB Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood / Nuwan Thushara
Key Player Battles to Watch
Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh
Shreyas Iyer vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Hazlewood
Jitesh Sharma vs Chahal
PowerPlay: PBKS Attack vs RCB Defense
🔥 Stats That Matter
Virat Kohli has scored 342 runs while chasing in 2025 at an average of 114 and SR of 144.30.
Kohli has 1,104 runs vs PBKS in IPL history – 1 century, 5 fifties.
Shreyas Iyer is striking at 216.12 in the death overs this season.
PBKS score at 10.02 in the PowerPlay, while RCB concede at only 8.79 — a vital battle in the first 6 overs.
What They Said
🗣️ Shreyas Iyer on Ponting:
"We have a camaraderie from the last few years. He lets me be decisive on the field. Ecstatic that everything is working."
🗣️ Jitesh Sharma on leading RCB:
"When Virat got out, I just wanted to take the game deep — that’s what my mentor (Dinesh Karthik) tells me. With my calibre, I can finish any game."
Two passionate teams, two loyal fanbases, and a golden opportunity to reach the IPL 2025 final. Both PBKS and RCB have redefined themselves this season. And while only one team will move forward tonight, the spirit of competition and redemption they bring to the table has already made this Qualifier 1 an IPL classic in the making.
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