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Punjab Kings (PBKS) were completely outclassed against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first innings of Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Batting first after losing the toss at their home ground New PCA Stadium, Shreyas Iyer’s side got bundled out on 101 in 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood played the role of wrecker-in-chief and bagged 3/21 figures in his 3.1-over spell. He was accompanied by Suyash Sharma, who picked up 3/17 figures in three overs. Yash Dayal also grabbed two wickets while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd got one wicket apiece.
From PBKS’ batting line-up, seven players failed to score in double digits. Their key batters Priyansh Arya, Shreyas, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, and Shashank Singh looked helpless while confronting RCB’s fierce bowling attack. Punjab’s lackluster batting stunned their supporters and co-owner Preity Zinta, who was present at the stands to cheer for her team. However, witnessing her side’s performance in the first innings, she looked extremely disappointed.
RCB looking to seal final berth following their heroics in the first innings
After the extraordinary bowling show in the first innings, RCB fans expect their team to chase down the low total comfortably to punch their tickets for Ahmedabad, where the final of the tournament will be played on June 3. If Challengers pull off the low score, they will qualify for the IPL finals for the fourth time.
Their last appearance in the IPL finals came in 2016, when they lost to the David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing the target, Bengaluru have accumulated 24 runs in 2.4 overs without any loss, with Phil Salt (unbeaten eight off six) and Virat Kohli (unbeaten 12 off 10).
