RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final with Record-Breaking Chase Against PBKS

Mullanpur, May 30, 2025 – In a breathtaking display of cricketing prowess, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at the New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur. RCB’s bowlers decimated PBKS for a paltry 101 runs, setting the stage for a blistering chase led by Phil Salt’s unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, completed in just 10 overs. This triumph marks RCB’s fourth IPL final appearance and their first since 2016, while also setting a new record for the fastest chase in IPL playoff history.

Background: A Clash of Titans

The IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 was a high-stakes encounter between two franchises with a storied rivalry but no championship titles to their names. RCB and PBKS, both founding members of the IPL since 2008, have been perennial contenders, yet the elusive trophy has remained out of reach. Their head-to-head record is razor-close, with PBKS leading 18-17 in 35 encounters. This season, the teams split their two meetings, with PBKS winning a rain-affected game in Bengaluru and RCB retaliating in Mullanpur. The stage was set for a thrilling playoff showdown, with both teams boasting formidable line-ups and playoff aspirations.

RCB’s journey to the playoffs was marked by consistency, securing 8 points in their first seven games and clinching qualification with four consecutive wins. PBKS, meanwhile, navigated a tougher path, overcoming late-season challenges from Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians to finish atop the points table with a marginally better net run rate. The Qualifier 1 clash was not just a battle for a final berth but a testament to both teams’ resilience in a fiercely competitive season.

Breaking Down the Match

RCB’s Bowling Masterclass

RCB’s bowlers set the tone on a lively Mullanpur pitch, dismantling PBKS in just 14.1 overs, the shortest first-innings total in IPL history. Suyash Sharma earned the Player of the Match award for his scintillating 3/17 in three overs, suffocating PBKS’s middle order. Josh Hazlewood complemented Sharma with an equally incisive 3/21, while Yash Dayal chipped in with two wickets. The collective effort ensured PBKS could only muster 101 runs, the joint-third-lowest total in IPL playoff history, trailing only Deccan Chargers’ 82 (2010) and Delhi Daredevils’ 87 (2008).

Phil Salt’s Explosive Chase

Chasing 102, RCB wasted no time. Phil Salt, in scintillating form, blazed an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and three sixes. His aggressive strokeplay powered RCB to the target in just 10 overs, with 60 balls to spare, a record for the largest victory margin in an IPL playoff chase, surpassing Kolkata Knight Riders’ 57-ball margin against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024. This chase ranks as the third-fastest 100-plus target pursuit in IPL history, behind only Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 9.4-over chase of 166 in 2024 and KKR’s 10.1-over chase of 104 earlier in 2025.

Key Stats and Milestones

• Record-Breaking Chase: RCB’s 60-ball margin is the largest in IPL playoff history, and their 10-over chase is the second instance of RCB winning with 10 or more overs to spare, following a 71-ball victory against Kings XI Punjab in 2018.
• Shortest Innings: PBKS’s 14.1-over collapse is the briefest all-out innings while batting first in the IPL, eclipsing RCB’s own 15-over low against Rajasthan Royals in 2014.
• Phil Salt’s Milestone: Salt reached 1000 IPL runs in just 576 balls, the third-fastest to the milestone behind Andre Russell (545 balls) and Travis Head (575 balls).
• RCB’s Final Appearances: This marks RCB’s fourth IPL final (2009, 2011, 2016, 2025), placing them behind only Chennai Super Kings (10) and Mumbai Indians (6).
• Qualifier 1 Trend: Since the playoff system began in 2011, the Qualifier 1 winner has claimed the IPL title in 11 of 14 seasons, including the last seven consecutively, boosting RCB’s prospects.

What’s at Stake in the Final?

RCB, under the dynamic leadership of first-year captain Rajat Patidar, now await the winner of the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 in the IPL 2025 final. Their disciplined bowling, explosive batting, and playoff experience, despite a nine-year gap from Qualifier 1, position them as formidable contenders. However, PBKS’s captain Shreyas Iyer, a proven IPL champion with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, demonstrated the fine margins in this contest. His underwhelming 27 runs across five innings in Mullanpur this season (average 5.4) underscores the challenge RCB exploited on the tricky pitch.

Why This Matters

For RCB, this victory is a redemption arc. Known for their batting firepower, their bowling unit stole the show, signaling a balanced squad capable of challenging for the title. For fans, it’s a moment of hope after years of near-misses. The team’s ability to dominate on an away ground against a strong PBKS side, who had home advantage, speaks volumes about their adaptability and hunger.

As RCB prepare for the final, the question looms: can they break their title drought and join the elite list of IPL champions? With history favoring Qualifier 1 winners and a team firing on all cylinders, Bengaluru’s loyal fanbase has reason to dream big.