Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Qualifier 1 - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Just a hint of assistance for the bowlers and the relatively inexperienced Punjab Kings batting line-up crumbled in the big game. Their shot-selection will be a big talking point but Shreyas Iyer and Co. have another shot at the final as they'll face the winner of the Eliminator. "We have lost the battle, but not the war," shows that the PBKS captain's confidence is still high despite this drubbing. On the other hand, a big statement from Royal Challengers Bengaluru to reach their fourth IPL final. Virat Kohli, after the match, was indicating something on the lines of "just one more to go!" Is 2025 going to be their year (#ESCN)? On that note, it's curtains down on this one-sided Qualifier 1. Tune in tomorrow for the knockout clash between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians from the same venue. Let's hope that it's a close encounter. For now, it's goodbye from Abhinand Raghavendran, Pradeep Krishnamurthy, Raju Peethala, Nikhil Jadhav and Siva. 

Suyash Sharma | Player of the Match: My coaches gave me just one role, which is to hit the stumps whether I bowl legbreak, googly, flipper or any other variation. It (googly) is my stock ball and also I got a bit of help from the wicket as well. Not quite now (whether he will be celebrating tonight), I will celebrate on 3rd (June) and very hard as well.

Rajat Patidar | RCB captain: I think we were clear in our plans, how we have to bowl. I think the fast bowlers used the surface really well. The way Suyash chipped in, the way he bowled his lines and lengths, that was really good. As a captain I am clear about his bowling. He has to target the stumps, that's his strength. His wrong 'un is difficult to read for the batters. I always want to give him clear ideas, I don't want to confuse him. I am okay if he concedes a few runs (in the process.) We have had a lot of practice sessions throughout the tournament, so one day of not practising won't harm you. The way he (Salt) is batting in most of the matches. The way he is giving starts, I am a big fan of him. It's a treat to watch him from the dugout. That's really good. I always thank RCB fans, not only in Chinnaswamy, but wherever we go we feel it's our home ground. We love you, so keep supporting us. One more game and let's celebrate together.

Phil Salt: Great feeling right now, it (the ball) did move a bit. I think that was not the worst wicket to have played on in this season. (Replying to what was going on in his mind during the chase) Don't get out to Arshdeep, we played 2 group games (with PBKS) and he's found different ways to get me out, so was just trying to react to the ball. I said before the game to Andy (Flower) that was the blessing in disguise for us (talking about the travel and breaks in between games). (This win) Gives us the momentum, it is a cliche but true, that's what you want at the backend of the tournament, want to hit your straps and play a part with the bat or ball.

Shreyas Iyer | PBKS captain: Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets (in the first innings.) There's a lot to go back and study on. I am not doubting on my decisions to be honest. Whatever we did in terms of planning, outside of the ground whatever (planning) we did, I think it was on point. Just that we couldn't execute it on the field. Can't even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend. We got to work on our batting especially on this wicket. In all the games we have played here there has been some variable bounce. We can't give such reasons because we are professionals at the end of the day and we have to bat according to the situation and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle, but not the war.

Stats by Shashikant Singh

60 balls remaining is the biggest victory margin while chasing in IPL playoffs/Knockout, bettering 57 balls by KKR against SRH in the 2024 IPL final.

Quickest 100-plus targets chased in the IPL
9.4 overs - RCB vs KKR, Bengaluru, 2015 (T: 112)
9.4 overs - SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad, 2024 (T: 166)
10.0 overs - RCB vs PBKS, Mullanpur, 2025 (T: 102)*
10.1 overs - KKR vs CSK, Chennai, 2025 (T: 104)
*The RCB vs KKR was a rain-shortened game

This is the fourth instance of RCB making the finals, after 2009, 2011 and 2016.

The team winning Qualifier 1 has won the title in 11 of the 14 previous editions since the current playoffs system began in 2011, including each of the last seven (2018-2024).

22:05 Local Time, 16:35 GMT, 22:05 IST: #1 vs #2 hasn't lived up to the expectations. Nothing went right for Punjab Kings. Lost the toss, inserted to bat, lost both the openers cheaply, Hazlewood accounted for Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis and then Suyash Sharma ripped through the middle and lower order with three wickets. A wonderful bowling performance from RCB coupled with some poor strokes resulted in PBKS getting bundled out for 101. In reply, the RCB openers came out with a positive intent and took the aggressive route against Arshdeep. Jamieson got the ball to move and bowled a beautiful 2nd over as he nipped out Kohli and troubled Mayank Agarawal. However, the NZ quick was taken to the cleaners in the following over as he leaked 21 runs. Salt and Agarawal stitched a fifty partnership with the former notching up a 23-ball half-ton. Agarawal departed after a couple of boundaries and that allowed the RCB captain to hit the winning runs.

Musheer Khan to Rajat Patidar, SIX, Rajat Patidar finishes off in style! Full and drifting in, the captain gets down on one leg and nails the slogsweep to dispatch it over deep square leg. RCB cruise to the final of 2025 IPL with a thumping victory as they hunt down the target with 60 balls to spare!

Musheer Khan to Phil Salt, 1 run, flicked through midwicket

Musheer Khan to Rajat Patidar, 1 run, full on off, driven to long-off

Musheer Khan to Rajat Patidar, FOUR, full delivery, Rajat Patidar moves leg-side, gets under it and thumps it over extra cover for a one-bounce four

Musheer Khan to Phil Salt, 1 run, cut with the spin to deep cover

Musheer Khan to Rajat Patidar, 1 run, full and drifting in, driven along the ground to long-off

Phil Salt in the IPL 2025
Batting first - 6 innings, 50+ scores: 0
While chasing - 6 innings, 50+ scores: 4

Strategic timeout! Just 10 needed now.

Harpreet Brar to Phil Salt, no run, more air, drifts in, Salt drives to short cover