Underdogs Turn Title Contenders
Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have long carried the tag of IPL underachievers. However, IPL 2025 has rewritten that script. Defying expectations, both sides finished at the top of the league standings—PBKS in first and RCB in second, earning a direct ticket to Qualifier 1. A fierce battle awaits as Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS prepares to take on Rajat Patidar’s RCB on Thursday.
Captain Shreyas Iyer’s Remarkable Record
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer brings rich playoff experience to the table. Having already led three different IPL teams to the playoffs, Iyer has reached the final twice. In 2020, he captained Delhi Capitals to the summit clash, narrowly missing the trophy to Mumbai Indians. More recently, he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title in 2024. Will Iyer’s playoff magic work again this year?
Hazlewood vs PBKS Openers: A Key Battle
RCB’s bowling unit has been bolstered by the return of Josh Hazlewood, who is fit and ready for the knockouts. His challenge will be to tame the explosive PBKS opening duo—Prabhsimran Singh (499 runs) and Priyansh Arya (424 runs). The right-left pair has flourished with aggressive starts throughout the season, thriving particularly when offered width. But Hazlewood’s tight, good-length deliveries into the stumps could pose a new test for the uncapped Indian openers. Priyansh Arya, in particular, enjoys batting at the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. In the 42 balls he has faced at the venue this season, he has struck nine sixes and boasts a staggering strike rate of 245.23.
Form Guide
- PBKS: W, L, W, W, W
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RCB: W, L, NR, W, W
Venue Report: PCA Mullanpur
Out of the nine IPL matches hosted at the PCA Stadium, five have been won by teams batting first, while four went to the chasing sides, indicating a fairly balanced track.
Voices from the Camp
PBKS batter Shashank Singh expressed satisfaction at the team’s performance so far:
“It feels good that we are in the top 2 and obviously what I have manifested — or we have manifested as a team — right back after the auction. It feels so good that you have manifested something and it is happening. Obviously, we have manifested a lot more than this. Maybe June 3 will be the right time to say that. But, I mean, we have crossed a hurdle and it feels good,”
RCB captain Rajat Patidar highlighted the importance of their finish and the team’s readiness:
“It was very important for us to be in the top two. That’s what we had planned for, and having achieved that, it is a big boost for RCB. We have less time before our next match, so we will look to recover quickly, take a nap while travelling. Everyone is in a good frame of mind and recovering well from the last game in Lucknow.”
With both teams hungry to break their title drought, Thursday’s clash promises high drama and a ticket to the IPL 2025 final.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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