Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced battle in the first qualifier of the IPL 2025 playoffs. On Thursday, May 29, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, hosted the match between the top two teams in the table.
PBKS’ chase for a berth in the final was annihilation of the most embarrassing kind as they were bowled out for an embarrassing eight wicket defeat. The toss was won by RCB, who were invited to field first in the crucial encounter.
Bengaluru bowlers produced a terrific bowling performance bundling out Punjab for 101. Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood shared three wickets each while Yash Dayal mopped two wickets.
Marcus Stoinis was the only PBKS batter to score more than 20 runs. In 17 balls, the Australian all-rounder scored 26 runs. The Punjab batsmen eventually scored a respectable total after losing without a fight.
RCB chased down the target in just 10 overs. Phil Salt hit his fourth half-century of the season with a blazing stroke. At 56 runs from 27 deliveries, he was still undefeated.
The decisive victory made Bengaluru the first side to earn a spot in the IPL 2025 final match. Punjab will now play the winner of the eliminator between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2. Qualifier 2’s victor will go on to the final.
On that point, let’s take a look at three instances in Qualifier 1 that caused attention among fans:
1. Preity Zinta’s shocked reactions go viral during PBKS batting collapse
Preity Zinta, a co-owner of PBKS, attended the Qualifier 1 match. The Bollywood star supported her team from the stands. But early in the game, when her team’s hitters were falling like nine pins, she appeared visibly disappointed.
At one point, Zinta was stunned and heartbroken by the casual collapse of the PBKS batsmen to the RCB spinners. Here are a few of her responses that gained a lot of interest on social media:
mujhse Preity Zinta ki ye dukh nahi dekhi jayegi bhaai. 😭🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/xrY5LLtHg1
— Pranay Malviya (@Ur_Pranay) May 29, 2025No matter whom you're supporting, you got to feel bad for Preity Zinta 🥺#RCBvsPBKS#PBKSvsRCB #RCBvPBKS RCB RCB#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/ATAYluVuEU
— Sanskari (@sanskari_SM0) May 29, 20252. Virat Kohli leads from the front to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru
While Virat Kohli might not lead RCB from the front anymore after IPL 2021, he is still a part of the leadership group. But the vintage Kohli was out there on the field in the important Qualifier 1 clash.
The former RCB captain appeared to be totally focused on the match, and his level of intensity indicated that he was serious. Throughout the innings, Kohli was also observed coaching and advising the bowlers.
This video demonstrates Kohli’s significant contribution to the team’s strategy:
'Captain Kohli Energy'. Enough Said! 😮💨❤️
That trademark intensity is doing the talking as Leader @imVkohli takes charge & #PBKS are feeling the heat! 🔥
LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/B4bnHnppgJ #IPLPlayoffs | #Qualifier1 👉 #PBKSvRCB on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar!… pic.twitter.com/Orq55pcxKx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 29, 20253. Phil Salt takes Kyle Jamieson to the cleaners
Phil Salt, the RCB opener, stunned the audience with his skill. Even Kyle Jamieson, a pacer who bowled an outstanding wicket-maiden, was not spared. In the fourth over, Kohli was caught behind by the fast bowler from New Zealand.
However, in the sixth over, he was met with Salt’s anger. The hitter hit the ball to the boundary for a four through the covers on the fourth ball. On the next delivery, Jamieson changed his length and bowled it short.
Phil Salt responded with a spectacular pull shot that raced to the barrier for another four. The daring batter smashed a spectacular six over covers to close the over.
Phil Salt doing what he does best 💥
He delivers a big knock in a crucial clash with a 23-ball 5⃣0⃣* 💪
Updates ▶ https://t.co/FhocIrgBRT#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRCB | #Qualifier1 | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/4GvcHd7jRb
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2025The IPL 2025 Final will take place on Tuesday, June 3.
