Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vie for Direct IPL Final Berth in Qualifier 1
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to compete in Qualifier 1 of the 2025 Indian Premier League today, Thursday, May 29th, in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), with a direct entry into the tournament final. This high-stakes encounter brings together the two teams eager to secure their maiden IPL title.
Battle for Direct Entry into IPL Final
This marks Punjab Kings' first appearance in the IPL playoffs since 2014, a year they topped the league stage but ultimately lost in the final. Their success this season has been notably driven by their uncapped Indian batsmen, complemented by the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while more frequent participants in the playoffs in recent years, last achieved a top-two league finish in 2016, also culminating in a final defeat. Under captain Rajat Patidar, RCB has adopted a more balanced team composition this season. The winner of this match progresses directly to the final, while the loser will get a second opportunity by playing the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2.
Key Players
The performances of key batsmen Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) and Virat Kohli (RCB) will be under intense scrutiny. Both are their respective teams' leading run-scorers and have demonstrated improved T20 gameplay this season. Kohli (608 runs) was Player of the Match with an unbeaten 73 in RCB's victory over PBKS at this venue earlier in the season. Iyer (514 runs), however, has a modest record in New Chandigarh this season and faces challenging matchups against several RCB bowlers, including Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, against whom he has struggled.
Squad Fitness and Venue Outlook
Both teams receive boosts with the expected return of key bowlers from injury: leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for PBKS (wrist issue) and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for RCB (shoulder injury). However, PBKS will be without all-rounder Marco Jansen (preparing for WTC final), likely to be replaced by Azmatullah Omarzai, while RCB's Tim David is expected to miss out due to a hamstring injury. Nuwan Thushara might make way for Hazlewood in the RCB lineup.
The pitch in New Chandigarh has offered varied conditions this season, with both high-scoring and low-scoring encounters. Clear weather is forecast with temperatures around 30°C.
Qualifier 1 presents a compelling contest between two well-matched teams, each possessing distinct strengths and motivations. The return of key bowlers, the form of star batsmen, and adaptability to the Mullanpur pitch will be critical factors in determining which side seizes the direct route to the IPL 2025 final.
