Rajat Patidar couldn’t have asked for anything more in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain as Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the final in style, beating Punjab Kings by eight wickets on Thursday. With this win, RCB entered an IPL final after nine years and fourth overall after runners-up finished in 2009, 2011 and 2016.
Punjab Kings will get another chance to make the final as they play the winner of Eliminator between Mumbai Indian and Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 (to be played on June 1.) Sent into bat first, Punjab Kings were bowled out for just 101 in 14.1 overs.
Marcus Stoinis was top-scorer with 26 runs. For RCB, Suyash Sharma (3/17) did the star turn by picking up three wickets pacers Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Yash Dayal (2/26) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17).
In reply, RCB needed just 10 overs to overhaul the target with eight wickets in hand. Phil Salt remained not out for 56 in just 27 balls which included six fours and three sixes.
IPL playoffs statistics that stood out
RCB’s win with 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. If statistics are to be believed, teams winning Qualifier 1 have gone on to win the title in 11 out of 14 previous editions since the playoffs system began in 2011.
Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar thanked the fans for the support and vowed to celebrate together. “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,” Patidar said after the game.
Stay updated on all the action from theIPL 2025. Check theIPL 2025 Schedule, track the latestIPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with theOrange Cap andPurple Cap.
