IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: In PBKS and RCB, the league’s underachievers look to take one step closer to promised land

But on Thursday, one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will have the chance to get within one match of their maiden IPL title. By finishing among the top two after 14 gruelling matches, they have ensured that even the losers get another opportunity to make the final.

Both teams have had to deviate from their historical template to get this far this season. RCB, known for their galacticos approach, especially in their batting, have pulled back a bit and the outfit seems more well-rounded. Though Virat Kohli remains the face and soul of the franchise, there are no other marquee names among the batsmen. Instead of the likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson, the team has invested in a potent bowling attack with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar pulling their weight. Yash Dayal has complemented them well often with his left-arm variation.

Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru during an IPL match vs Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. (Sportzpics)

In having Rajat Patidar and Andy Flower as their leadership duo, RCB chose two relatively lower-profile individuals who like to operate in the background, but the move seems to have worked as the team doesn’t seem so top-heavy now. Phil Salt does what is required of an opener but there’s no focus on a big-name player batting through the innings. This feature came to the fore in Tuesday’s game against Lucknow Super Giants when Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal got the team home in a big run-chase with plenty to spare despite Kohli being dismissed with more than a hundred left to get.

Aussie influence

PBKS, on the other hand, have benefited from an injection of ambition. Ricky Ponting as head coach meant that mediocrity and underperformance won’t be acceptable. And as last season’s title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer has high standards to live up to, and has led from the front with the bat. His game has evolved and he no longer seems stressed by short-pitched stuff. Captaincy has added another dimension to his game and he now aims to be at the end to see the team across the line.

PBKS have always relied on uncapped Indian talent and in Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh as their opening pair, they have a duo that doesn’t believe in taking any prisoners. At least one of the two makes a contribution in almost every game. They have hitting power throughout their batting order, with Aussies Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis always posing a threat. Shreyas is among the top 10 run-getters of the season and Shashank Singh has continued his progress from last season. Nehal Wadhera can also be expected to be among the runs.

Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has two strings to his bow, while Arshdeep Singh has grown into the leader of the attack. The way he kept Suryakumar Yadav quiet in the 20th over in the game against Mumbai Indians indicated his confidence and class. Pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak and left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar may not be household names, but have given match-winning performances this season when called upon as Impact Substitutes.

Josh Inglis in action against Lucknow Super Giants. (Credit: PBKS/Instagram)

But the biggest influence has been Ponting. Even after PBKS secured a top-two spot, he was telling his players that they had won nothing yet and should aim for nothing less than a maiden crown for the franchise. The Aussie legend’s influence was evident when he chose not to board the plane to go home when the league was suspended due to the India Pakistan conflict. He was instrumental in the overseas players staying put, despite Inglis being in the Australian squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa starting June 11.

Recent history

RCB and PBKS have split their two face-offs this season, taking place within three days. Interestingly, the away side came away victorious on both occasions. Thursday’s game at Mullanpur is theoretically at the latter’s home ground, but they have not historically enjoyed much home comfort. This year, too, they have won only two of the four games played at the venue.

Both sides will be sweating on the fitness of some key players. RCB is likely to welcome back Hazlewood, who has been their best bowler this campaign, fourth on the wicket-takers list despite playing only 10 games. If Tim David is fit, he should get straight back in at Liam Livingstone’s expense.

PBKS will be without tall left-arm quick Marco Jansen who is part of the South African squad for WTC final. But in Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson, they have a good replacement. If leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is fit to face his former franchise, it would be a big boost.

Winning Qualifier 1 provides a direct route to the final and a few days to rest and prepare. It’s no surprise that most IPL champions have come via that path. Thursday’s losers, on the other hand, will have to wait for the result of the Eliminator the next day and move to Ahmedabad to face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians. Playing an extra match at the fag end of such a long and extended season can take its toll.