RCB Thrash PBKS by 8 Wickets to Storm into IPL 2025 Final

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a masterclass, thrashing Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 8 wickets in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. This emphatic victory booked RCB’s spot in the IPL final, their first in nine years. Chasing a small target of 102, RCB raced to 106/2 in just 10 overs, powered by Phil Salt’s explosive 56 not out off 27 balls and captain Rajat Patidar’s quick 15 not out off 8, capped with a match-winning six.

• RCB crushed PBKS by 8 wickets to enter their first IPL final in nine years, chasing 102 in just 10 overs
• Phil Salt’s blazing 56 and Hazlewood’s 3/21 powered RCB into the IPL 2025 final with a dominant all-round show
• RCB’s ruthless bowling dismantled PBKS for 101 before sealing victory in style, signaling their strongest title push yet

RCB’s bowlers set the stage after Patidar opted to bowl first. Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17) ran through PBKS’s batting lineup, bowling them out for a measly 101 in 14.1 overs—the third-lowest total in IPL playoff history. Yash Dayal got things rolling by dismissing Priyansh Arya (7), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent Prabhsimran Singh (18) packing. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer (2) fell early to Hazlewood, and despite some fight from Marcus Stoinis (26) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18), PBKS crumbled. A stunning diving catch by Jitesh Sharma to remove Omarzai showed RCB’s fielding was on point.

Chasing, RCB hit a minor snag when Virat Kohli was caught by Iyer off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling. But Salt took over, smashing a 23-ball fifty packed with boundaries and sixes. Mayank Agarwal (19) and Patidar kept the momentum going, with Patidar’s slog-sweep off Musheer Khan sealing the deal in style.

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After the game, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer admitted their batting let them down on a tough pitch, saying, “We lost the battle, but not the war.” Phil Salt, buzzing with excitement, said, “This win gives us the edge going into the final.” PBKS now have a second chance in Qualifier 2 on June 1 against the Eliminator winner.

With their bowlers firing and batters in top form, RCB are looking like serious contenders to finally lift that elusive IPL trophy.