A collective performance from RCB’s bowling department has helped the side to restrict Punjab Kings to a low total in the qualifiers 01 of the IPL 2025 season on May 29 at Maharaja Yadavindra International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.

Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma went on to pick three wickets each to crumble the PBKS batting order in Thursday’s clash.

Batting first, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh opened the innings while Bhuvneshwar Kumar opened the bowling attack.

With the dismissal of Arya for 7 runs, Prabhsimran Singh lost his wicket to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 18 runs.

Meanwhile, Hazlewood made a stunning spell picking the wickets of Josh Inglis and Shreyas Iyer within the powerplay to collapse the Punjab Kings’ top order in the game.

After Yash Dayal dismissed Nehal Wadhera for 8 runs, Suyansh Sharma went on to dismiss Shashank Singh, Musheer Khan and Marcus Stoinis putting Punjab at tough spot with 8 wickets for 78 runs.

However, Azmatullah Omarzai tried to drag the innings, but Hazlewood went on to dismiss him for 18 runs forcing Punjab to complete their innings for 101 runs.

Speaking at the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar said, “We will bowl first. Wicket looks very hard, decent covering of grass and will try to maximise the first few overs.”

“Everyone gave more than 100 percent in the last game, Jitesh Salt and Kohli they were tremendous. One change for us. Hazlewood comes in place of Thushara,” concluded Patidar.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer said, Would have bowled first as well. If you look at the record here, teams batting first have done well, so I am optimistic.”

“They have been tremendous and you need such kind of vibration when you enter the ground and it gives us a lot of energy as well. The way they (openers) have been showing the fearless approach and the attitude has been brilliant. Marco goes out and Azmatullah comes in for him,” concluded Iyer.

PBKS vs RCB Playing 11

Punjab Kings Playing 11: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (W), Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing 11: Virat Kohli, Philip salt, Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (W), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh HazleWod, Suyash Sharma