The IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match on May 29, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cruised to an 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first. That gamble paid off, as PBKS were bundled out for just 101 during 14.1 overs on a seam- and bounce-friendly pitch. Marcus Stoinis was PBKS's top scorer with 26 off 17 balls, while RCB's Suyash Sharma (3/17) and Josh Hazlewood (3/21) participated dominantly in the only significant phase of the PBKS innings. Yash Dayal (2/26) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) ensured no batting partnerships batted longer than two overs. The total was PBKS's joint third-lowest in IPL playoff history. 

In attempting to defend such a low target, PBKS's bowling performance was less than satisfactory. RCB's Phil Salt (56* off 27) put on an exhibition during the powerplay for RCB, breaking the back of the chase by scoring quickly. While there was some early movement in the first ball with salt initially well  along with Mayank Agarwal (19 off 13), RCB reached 106/2 off just 10 to win the match.  Kyle Jamieson (1/27) and Musheer Khan (1/27) took wickets at late intervals but had little influence. This emphatic victory secured RCB's fourth IPL final, while PBKS will play in Qualifier 2. Here are the key reasons that PBKS lost to RCB.

1. Poor Batting Performance and Early Collapse

The Punjab Kings collapsed under pressure, scoring a mere 101 runs in 14.1 overs. With an inexperienced batting order in a high-pressure playoff game, they fell apart early. Key players Priyansh Arya (7 or 5) and Shreyas Iyer failed to give their team momentum. Marcus Stoinis was the highest scorer with 26 off 17. No batter put together a substantial innings, and Punjab had the joint third-lowest total in IPL playoff history. 

Also Read: IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Match Highlights

2. Ineffective Shot Selection and Inability to Adapt

The batters of Punjab Kings struggled with shot selection on a pitch that offered variable bounce, which even Shreyas Iyer echoed. The players like Shashank Singh premeditated high-risk shots (slog sweeping Suyash Sharma’s googly) and contributed to the scattering of the middle order (60/6). They couldn’t adjust to a bowler-friendly wicket, while RCB played with discipline, which made a big difference.

3. RCB’s Dominant Bowling Attack

RCB's bowlers bowled well according to the conditions, especially Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17). Hazlewood and Sharma demolished Punjab's batting order piece by piece, while Yash Dayal, with 2/26, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 1/17, kept the pressure on without allowing Punjab to build a partnership. Punjab's bowlers couldn't replicate the relentlessness of RCB's bowlers, allowing RCB to chase down the runs in just 10 overs, ending with Phil Salt scoring 56 off 27 balls.