Salt leads the charge as RCB storms into IPL 2025 final
Salt leads the charge as RCB storms into IPL 2025 final
IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru wrapped things up in style as they beat Punjab Kings by eight wickets and made their way to the finals.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru took a huge step toward ending their long wait for an IPL title, crushing Punjab Kings in the first qualifier of IPL 2025. Their dominant win the biggest in IPL playoff history by balls remaining secured their fourth final appearance, keeping their dream of a maiden trophy alive.
It’s been 17 years of heartbreak, but RCB is back in the final, their first since 2016 coincidentally, on the same date nine years ago. On June 3, at the world’s biggest cricket stadium, they’ll hope everything falls into place. After past struggles and doubts, this was the night they silenced critics and showed their true strength.
The victory started with Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, who took three wickets each, bowling out PBKS for just 101 runs in 15 overs. Then, Phil Salt made sure the chase was quick and easy, smashing 56 off 27 balls to seal the win with 10 overs and eight wickets to spare.
Punjab Kings Inning
PowerPlay: PBKS 48/4 (RR: 8.00; 4s/6s: 5/2)
Rajat Patidar’s decision to bowl first paid off as RCB’s seamers made full use of the pitch’s grass cover. Yash Dayal struck early, forcing Priyansh Arya into a loose drive that found cover. Prabhsimran Singh tried to counter with aggressive strokes, lofting Bhuvneshwar Kumar for boundaries, but the veteran pacer adjusted his length and induced an edge. Josh Hazlewood, returning to the XI, then dismantled PBKS further first dismissing Shreyas Iyer, who edged a wild slog, and then forcing Josh Inglis into a mistimed pull.
Middle Overs: PBKS 53/6 (RR: 6.49; 4s/6s: 2/2)
RCB’s relentless attack continued, aided by PBKS’ poor shot selection. Nehal Wadhera dragged a Yash Dayal delivery onto his stumps before Suyash Sharma took charge. The leg-spinner cleaned up Shashank Singh with a deceptive googly. PBKS introduced Musheer Khan as their Impact Player, but he lasted just three balls before missing a sweep, handing Suyash his second wicket of the over. Marcus Stoinis, PBKS’ lone bright spot, struck a six but soon fell to another Suyash googly, bowled while attempting a slog-sweep for 26 off 17.
Final Blow:
Azmatullah Omarzai and Harpreet Brar tried to resist, but Romario Shepherd broke their stand with a short ball that ricocheted off Brar’s forearm onto the stumps the fourth batter to be bowled. Hazlewood then returned to wrap up the innings with the first ball of the 15th over, as Jitesh Sharma completed a stunning one-handed catch off yet another edge.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Inning
PowerPlay: RCB 61/1 (RR: 10.17; 4s/6s: 8/2)
PBKS, backed by a loud home crowd, hoped to defend their low total, but RCB wasted no time. They raced to 30 runs in three overs, before Kyle Jamieson briefly revived PBKS’ hopes with a brilliant fourth over swinging the ball, extracting seam, and delivering just the sixth maiden of the season. He also dismissed Virat Kohli for 12, caught behind. Mayank Agarwal, struggling to find rhythm, misjudged multiple deliveries, marking PBKS’ last real resistance.
That was the end of their fight. Phil Salt took charge, smashing Azmatullah Omarzai for two crisp boundaries through the offside. As the ball stopped moving, he tore into Jamieson in the final PowerPlay over two scorching boundaries followed by a lofted six over cover, making it clear RCB was in complete control.
Middle Overs: RCB 45/1 (RR: 11.24; 4s/6s: 3/3)
Mayank Agarwal briefly fought back, attacking Musheer Khan’s spin with a six and a four, but was caught behind soon after. Salt, already at a 23-ball half-century, handed over the finishing touches to Rajat Patidar, who smashed a four and a six off Musheer to seal a famous win.
RCB wrapped up the chase with 10 overs to spare, storming into the IPL 2025 final with confidence and momentum.