Will Punjab Kings and RCB Battle for the Final Spot at Mullanpur?

New Chandigarh, May 28 (NationPress) When Punjab Kings (PBKS) face off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Mullanpur this Thursday, it promises to be more than just a game — it's a clash of dreams, redemption, and intertwined histories. Both teams are in pursuit of the same coveted prize: their inaugural IPL championship.

This marks PBKS' first playoff appearance since 2014, a season where they led the league but fell short in the final against the Kolkata Knight Riders. On the flip side, RCB's last top-two finish was in 2016 — a year where they too stumbled in the final, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both franchises have faced challenges in playoffs since then, but 2025 brings a revitalizing shift in their fortunes.

PBKS' impressive turnaround this season can be credited to its emerging Indian talent. Players such as Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Harpreet Brar have consistently showcased their skills, infusing the team with both depth and creativity. In contrast, RCB has shed its old image of being a top-heavy squad. This year, they are spearheaded by Rajat Patidar, with Jitesh Sharma serving as his deputy, both of whom possess limited international experience yet demonstrate strong performance in the IPL.

Injuries have also posed challenges for both teams. PBKS leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is set to make a comeback after missing two matches due to a wrist issue, while RCB will welcome back Josh Hazlewood, who has recovered from a shoulder injury.

However, both teams will be without significant players — PBKS allrounder Marco Jansen has returned to South Africa for preparations for the WTC Final, and RCB's Tim David is doubtful due to a hamstring injury.

The last encounter between these teams at Mullanpur saw RCB triumph, with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73 and celebrating animatedly in front of Shreyas Iyer — a moment that ignited a heated exchange. This backdrop intensifies the rivalry, especially with both Kohli and Iyer being the top scorers for their teams this season.

Kohli has amassed 608 runs at a strike rate of 147.91, while Iyer has scored 514 at an impressive 171.90. However, Iyer's performance at Mullanpur has been less than stellar, with only 25 runs across four innings — and his track record against some of RCB’s bowlers is not encouraging. Hazlewood has dismissed him three times in just 19 balls, allowing only nine runs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has similarly dominated him in past matches.

Given Jansen's absence, PBKS may need to adjust their lineup, potentially bringing back Azmatullah Omarzai for balance or opting for Xavier Bartlett or Vijaykumar Vyshak. The challenge lies in maintaining both bowling depth and batting strength. For RCB, incorporating Hazlewood may necessitate sidelining Nuwan Thushara, who performed admirably against LSG. The overseas composition will be critical in their final selection.

In their previous 35 encounters, PBKS has claimed victory 18 times while RCB has won 17 matches. This rivalry is as tightly contested as the stakes this Thursday.

Mullanpur has presented varied conditions so far. While earlier matches here saw scores surpassing 200, recent games have been more subdued, with totals of 111 and 95. The pitch for Thursday could favor either side, but with temperatures around 30°C and no rain predicted, conditions should remain stable.

The winner of this matchup will secure a direct spot in the IPL 2025 final, while the loser will have another shot against the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2. However, both teams would prefer to avoid taking the longer path, especially with current momentum and confidence on their side.

RCB might carry a psychological advantage from their last win at this venue, but PBKS will draw strength from the support of their fans in Mullanpur.

When: Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 PM IST

Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh

Where to Watch: The match will be aired on the Star Sports network, and live streaming can be accessed via JioHotstar.

Squads:

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Azmatullah Omarzai, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Blessing Muzarabani.