RCB Crush PBKS to Enter IPL 2025 Final

Royal Challengers Bengaluru played their hearts out and dominated Punjab Kings in the first qualifier of the IPL 2025. RCB have been waiting for years to win the IPL and now they are just a step away from holding the trophy in their hands. They last appeared in the final in 2016 and now they have the opportunity again. Their bowlers were untouchable and then Phil Salt played like a champion to take the team home.

RCB bowlers began the game well and never glanced back. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma were like a storm with three wickets each. They bowled Punjab Kings out for a mere 101 runs. Right from the first ball RCB were concentrated and did not allow PBKS to breathe. RCB bowlers in the first six overs created the tone for the match. PBKS had a reputation for playing hard at the beginning of the match but they were given no chance by RCB bowlers. They picked four wickets in the first six overs and made it difficult for PBKS to score.

Josh Hazlewood also came back to the team and bowled fire. Yash Dayal began by dismissing Priyansh Arya who attempted to play a big hit but could manage to get only the fielder. Then Prabhsimran Singh attempted to play some boundaries but Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled intelligently and dismissed him. Hazlewood was playing well and picked two wickets in a jiffy. He dismissed Shreyas Iyer who attempted to play a loose shot and then dismissed Josh Inglis on a short ball. PBKS were under huge pressure and never quite came out of it.

The middle overs witnessed Suyash Sharma joining the attack and he bowled with plenty of skill. He dismissed Shashank Singh on a sly googly. Musheer Khan was introduced as the Impact Player but he survived only three deliveries and missed a sweep shot to get out to Suyash. Marcus Stoinis attempted to revive and smashed a six but was quickly bowled out by yet another googly by Suyash. PBKS continued to lose their wickets and even Azmatullah Omarzai and Harpreet Brar were unable to contribute. Romario Shepherd next delivered a precise short ball that struck Brar on the forearm and then rolled onto the stumps. Hazlewood returned and took the last wicket of the innings. Jitesh Sharma caught an excellent catch to dismiss PBKS back to the pavilion with just 101 runs on the board.

Chasing this tiny target RCB never appeared concerned. Phil Salt was in excellent touch and dominated the game. During the first six overs, RCB accumulated 61 runs and lost only one wicket. Punjab Kings bowlers were unable to cope with the pressure. Salt began by blasting Azmatullah Omarzai for boundaries on both sides of the ground. He then launched a counterattack against Kyle Jamieson who had produced an excellent maiden over. Salt struck him for two boundaries and a huge six over cover that reminded everyone that the game was as good as over already.

Kyle Jamieson gave it his all and picked the wicket of Virat Kohli who was behind. But this was the only ray of hope for PBKS. Mayank Agarwal then smashed a six and a four off Musheer Khan but was soon caught behind too. By then it was too late. Phil Salt completed his half-century off only 23 balls and then Rajat Patidar came into the act. He smashed a four and a six off Musheer Khan to close the game in no time. RCB reached the target within 10 overs and won the match by eight wickets. It was a huge win and indicated how good they were on the day.

The last scores told the tale in no uncertain terms. Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101 runs in a mere 14.1 overs. Marcus Stoinis was their highest scorer with 26 runs. Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood shared three wickets each and did not allow PBKS to settle at all. When RCB batted they scored 106 runs for the loss of only two wickets in 10 overs. Phil Salt was not out on 56 runs and played like a genuine match-winner. Kyle Jamieson was the lone wicket-taker for PBKS.

This was the largest win in the history of IPL playoffs if you consider the remaining balls in the chase. RCB won with 10 overs still available and that also indicates how comprehensively they dominated PBKS. They were clinical with bat and ball as well and never allowed PBKS to get into the game. RCB will now get a couple of days' rest before the final on June 3. They will host the final in Ahmedabad and will hope to bring an end to their long wait for the IPL title. Punjab Kings can still make it to the final if they emerge victorious from the ensuing match against the winner of the eliminator. But RCB have demonstrated that they are competition-hardy and ready for the big time and will be extremely difficult to be halted.

For the supporters of RCB it was a night to cherish. Their players performed like champions and each of them did their job exactly as it should have been done. Right from Hazlewood's aggressive bowling to Salt's aggressive batting it was a perfect all-round performance. The hope of holding the IPL trophy aloft has never seemed nearer for them. With the form they are currently in and how they performed in this match RCB fans can hold their heads high and feel this is their year after all.