RCB Won By 8 Wickets: Hazlewood 3 Wickets, RCB Into The Final After 9 Year

On May 29, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 playoffs, guaranteeing their place in the championship game. 9 years after the last RCB IPL final, which took place in 2016. 

Match Summary

Hazlewood and Sharma 3 wickets, PBKS only score 101 in just 14.1 overs

After choosing to bat first, PBKS found it difficult to counter the RCB's well-organized bowling attack. In 14.1 overs, they were bundled out for just 101 runs. Marcus Stoinis' 26-run cameo was the only major contribution. The bowlers for RCB were outstanding: Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two and one wickets, respectively, while Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma each took three.

P Salt 56 power hitting inning, RCB chase target in just 10 overs

RCB's opener Phil Salt led the attack with an undefeated 56, leading the club to win in just 10 overs as they chased a modest target of 102. Virat Kohli is still the leading scorer for the RCB this season even if he only scored 12 runs in this game.

RCB Into The Final, After 9 year, PBKS In The Qualifier 2

With this win, RCB advances to their first IPL final since 2016 and gets one step closer to winning their first championship. Despite the defeat, PBKS still has a chance to go to the final by winning Qualifier 2. GT v MI eliminator match on 30th May in Chandigarh, that was knock out match who will win the eliminator match they will play against PBKS in Qualifier 2 on 1 June.