PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 Highlights: RCB makes it to the final for the first time after 2016

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Man of the Match

Suyash Sharma was named the player of the match for his incredible bowling performance in the first innings. He played a highly crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru reaching the final for the first time after nine years. The moment Suyash came to bowl, he proved to be unplayable. No batter could read his googlies and hence paid the price. In his first over, Suyash dismissed Shashank Singh and Musheer Khan. In his second over, the leg-spinner got the better of Marcus Stoinis, who was the top scorer for Punjab Kings.

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Top Performers

Suyash Sharma - 3/17

While many would believe that enough damage was done before Suyash Sharma came into the attack, the leg-spinner still made a huge impact with the ball in his hand. The right-arm leg spinner came to bowl the ninth over and dismissed Shashank Singh. PBKS sent in their impact sub in the form of Musheer Khan, who was dismissed in the over itself. Suyash continued to chip away with wickets and got rid of Marcus Stoinis in his following over. What helped him along with the surface was some pretty horrible shots from the three PBKS batters. 

Josh Hazlewood - 3/21

Josh Hazlewood was right on the money as he returned to action after missing a few games. The Australian pacer picked up three wickets as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were all over the Punjab Kings. He dismissed Shreyas Iyer to pick up his first wicket. It was the fourth time that Hazlewood dismissed the PBKS skipper in the IPL. He dismissed Josh Inglis in the sixth over to end the power play on a high note for his side. Hazlewood came back in the attack in the 15th over and picked up the final wicket thanks to a great catch from wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.

Phil Salt - 56* (27)

RCB’s domination in the clash from the first innings continued in the second half as well, thanks to Phil Salt. The English batter scored a 23-ball fifty, which was his fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League. Chasing a small target, Salt never let the bowlers of Punjab Kings settle into the innings. He scored 56 runs in only 27 balls and remained unbeaten till the end to seal the win. Salt smashed six fours and three sixes in his knock.

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: 1st Innings Summary

It was a great start for the bowling side in the power play as Yash Dayal struck in his first over to dismiss Priyansh Arya. Bhuvneshwar Kumar from the opposite end, after being on the receiving end of some lusty blows from Prabhsimran Singh, dismissed the right-hander in his second over. It was Josh Hazlewood, who, after missing the last few games, got the big wicket of Shreyas Iyer in his first over. It was a complete domination by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first power play, with Hazlewood picking up his second wicket in the sixth over.

Punjab Kings continued to sink further even after the power play. Dayal picked up his second wicket and dismissed Nehal Wadhera in the seventh over. Suyash Sharma picked up two wickets in his first over to put the hosts in even more trouble. The leg spinner dismissed Shashank Singh, and to make matters worse for the Kings, they had to use their impact sub as well. Musheer Khan, making his debut in the IPL, was dismissed for a bronze duck after coming as an impact sub. Suyash’s night continued to get better as he picked up his third wicket, dismissing Marcus Stoinis in his second over. Romario Shepherd and Hazlewood cleaned up the tail to bowl PBKS out for only 101 runs. 

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: 2nd Innings Summary

It took RCB less than an hour to chase down the target. Phil Salt rubbed salt in PBKS’ wounds and got his team in their first IPL final since 2016. Even with Virat Kohli being dismissed in the fourth over, Salt continued to march along and scored a 23-ball fifty. He played his shots against every bowler and looked in a rush to get the chase done. It was Salt’s fastest fifty in the competition. 

Kyle Jamieson and Musheer Khan for the Punjab Kings were the lone wicket-takers. The Kiwi pacer dismissed Virat Kohli with a back-of-length delivery in the power play. It was a great over from Jamieson where RCB could not score a single run. Musheer, making his debut, picked up his first wicket, dismissing Mayank Agarawal. 

Awards given in the PBKS vs RCB match Qualifier 1

The IPL 2025 season is day by day getting competitive as it has reached the final phase of the tournament. In the qualifier one which was played between the Punjab Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the RCB has beaten the PBKS comprehensively in an one sided affair. Now in the IPL different kinds of awards are given in every match and the qualifier one is no different. From Curvv Super Striker of the Match to My 11 Circle Fantasy King of the match, from most dot balls awards to the man of the match awards, every kind of award is given in the IPL. Below are the different kinds of awards given in Qualifier 1.

1. Curvv Super Striker of the Match: Phil Salt (RCB)- SR: 207

2. My 11 Circle Fantasy King of the Match: Suyash Sharma (RCB)- 137 pts

3. Angel One Super Sixes: Phil Salt (RCB)- 3 Sixes

4. Rupay on the Go 4s: Phil Salt (RCB)- 6 Fours

5. Most Dot Balls: Suyash Sharma (RCB)- 11 dot balls

6. Player of the Match: Suyash Sharma (RCB)

Key Moments of the Match

• The qualifier one happens to be the most important match of the IPL as the winner directly gets entry into the finals. Royal Challengers Bengaluru got a slight advantage when they decided to bowl first against the Punjab Kings because as a chasing team you exactly know what the target is and this is the first key moment of the match.

• The second key moment of the match happened when one of the main fast bowlers of RCB Yash Dayal took the crucial wicket of the inform PBKS batter Priyansh Arya in the second over itself as the opening stand between Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya could have been dangerous. 

• The third key moment of the match happened when Josh Hazlewood returning from injury took the crucial wicket of the PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer as back to back wickets were crucial for RCB to stay in the dominant position throughout the game.

• The fourth key moment of the match happened when the leg spinner Suyash Sharma took the vital wicket of Marcus Stoinis as the Aussie All-rounder was starting to get set and he could have posted a competitive total for the RCB.

• The last key moment of the match happened when the RCB opener Phil Salt played a blistering knock of 56 not out in just 27 balls and took the match away completely from the PBKS.