Royal Challengers Bengaluru blazed past table-toppers Punjab Kings to book their place in the final of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a commanding eight-wicket victory on Thursday.
After a spirited bowling display spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma — both claiming three-wicket hauls — Bengaluru’s batters followed up with an aggressive chase to seal the win. From the first over, it was one-way traffic, and the batters ensured it stayed that way in the second innings.
Defending a modest 101-run total, Punjab showed early resistance as Kyle Jamieson, recalling his 2021 WTC final heroics, dismissed Virat Kohli (12) by extracting extra bounce and drawing an edge to Josh Inglis behind the stumps — a maiden-wicket over that marked Kohli’s lowest score in a chase during IPL 2025.
Impact substitute Mayank Agarwal, partnered by Philip Salt, counterattacked with a 21-run over against Jamieson to close the powerplay.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer introduced Musheer Khan into the attack, and the youngster delivered by trapping Mayank lbw for 19(13). However, Punjab’s hopes faded as Salt continued his onslaught, reaching a half-century in just 23 balls. Skipper Rajat Patidar then finished the job in style with a slog-sweep into the stands, sealing RCB’s spot in the final.
Earlier, PBKS collapsed to 48/4 inside the powerplay. Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) was the only batter to cross the 20-run mark. Suyash Sharma’s three wickets dismantled the middle order.
After electing to bowl first, RCB got off to a dream start. The pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Hazlewood dominated the early overs.
Yash struck first, removing Priyansh Arya for 7 via a sharp catch at cover by Krunal Pandya. PBKS were 9/1 in 1.2 overs.
Prabhsimran Singh played some attacking shots but edged one to keeper Jitesh Sharma for 18 off 10 balls, giving Bhuvneshwar his first wicket. PBKS were 27/2 in 3 overs.
Hazlewood, returning from injury, made an immediate impact by removing Shreyas Iyer (2) and fellow Australian Josh Inglis (4), reducing PBKS to 38/4 in 5.1 overs.
Nehal Wadhera’s resistance didn’t last, as a thick edge off Yash crashed into the stumps. PBKS slumped to 50/5 in 6.3 overs.
Things worsened in the 8th over when Suyash cleaned up both Shashank Singh (3) and Impact Sub Musheer Khan (0), leaving PBKS reeling at 60/7.
Stoinis was the only remaining hope, but Suyash bowled him for 26, his third wicket. PBKS were 78/8 in 10.3 overs.
Romario Shepherd dismissed Harpreet Brar (4), and Hazlewood wrapped up the innings by removing Omarzai, who edged to Jitesh. PBKS were all out for 101 in 14.1 overs.
Suyash (3/17) and Hazlewood (3/21) were the standout bowlers, with Yash claiming 2/26. Bhuvneshwar and Romario took one wicket each.
