What went wrong for the Punjab Kings in the Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025? Check details

At the innings break during Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 playoffs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, the atmosphere in the Punjab Kings (PBKS) dugout was heavy with disbelief and frustration. Players sat in stunned silence, their faces etched with exhaustion and a sense of helplessness. It wasn't just a poor session of cricket; it was a relentless 85-minute onslaught by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who dominated every aspect of the game. RCB's bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, dismantled PBKS's batting lineup with precision and aggression.

Punjab Kings shattered by RCB in the Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025

The Punjab Kings were bowled out for a meager 101 runs in just 14.1 overs, leaving them with little to defend. The RCB batsmen, led by Phil Salt's unbeaten 56, chased down the target effortlessly in just 10 overs, securing an eight-wicket victory. This comprehensive performance not only propelled RCB into their fourth IPL final but also sent a clear message to their opponents: they are a team on a mission. The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, were left to reflect on a performance that fell far short of expectations.

Punjab Kings’ innings in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 was nothing short of a disaster. After being put in to bat first by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, their innings ended in dramatic fashion — bowled out for a paltry 101 runs in just 14.1 overs. This collapse not only marked the shortest completed innings in IPL playoff history but also left fans and pundits stunned at the sheer lack of resistance from a side that had looked so promising all season.

What made the collapse even more baffling was the absence of external pressure. The pitch wasn’t unplayable, and the conditions didn’t demand reckless batting. However, Punjab imploded under their own poor decisions. Batters threw their wickets away with careless shot selection, failing to adapt to the situation or build any meaningful partnerships. It was a meltdown that reflected a team struggling with its identity on the biggest stage of the tournament. Only three players — Prabhsimran Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Azmatullah Omarzai — managed to cross double figures. Stoinis’ 26 off 17 balls offered a brief spark, but it wasn’t enough to lift the side. The rest crumbled without a fight, leaving RCB with a modest target they chased with ease.

It was a night where everything went right for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. From the opening delivery, they played like a team possessed—aggressive, clinical, and relentless. Each bowler executed their plans with precision, offering different strengths that complemented one another perfectly. The result was a unified bowling performance that dismantled Punjab Kings with ruthless efficiency.

However, RCB’s brilliance was only half the story. PBKS’s batting collapse was as much about their own internal disarray as it was about the pressure applied by RCB. The rot began early with Priyansh Arya’s tame dismissal—an uncertain poke straight to cover—and only worsened from there. Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer followed suit, opting for reckless aggression over composure, gifting their wickets away. There was no visible attempt to regroup or build partnerships. It felt like PBKS lacked a plan entirely. Marcus Stoinis tried to provide some resistance, striking a few boundaries in his 17-ball 26, but received no support from the other end. Once he fell, the innings unraveled rapidly. The introduction of Musheer Khan as an Impact Player ended with a first-ball duck, perfectly capturing PBKS’s turmoil. On the most crucial night of the season, they looked disoriented and overwhelmed.

The defeat will leave a lasting mark — not merely due to the heavy margin, but because of how meekly Punjab Kings crumbled in a high-stakes contest. In a match that demanded composure and fight, they fell short in every department, making the loss even more difficult to digest. What hurts more is the timing — a playoff clash where expectations were sky-high after a strong league performance.

However, all is not lost. Punjab still has a lifeline remaining in Qualifier 2, where they’ll face the winner of the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians clash. But if they are to keep their title hopes alive, a complete overhaul is needed — not in personnel, but in mindset, game plan, and spirit. They must regroup quickly, shed the scars of this defeat, and return with renewed intent. Because in knockout cricket, there’s no room for emotional baggage — only for clarity, belief, and execution.

"Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets (in the first innings.) There's a lot to go back and study on. I am not doubting on my decisions to be honest. Whatever we did in terms of planning, outside of the ground whatever (planning) we did, I think it was on point. Just that we couldn't execute it on the field. 

Can't even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend. We got to work on our batting especially on this wicket. In all the games we have played here there has been some variable bounce. We can't give such reasons because we are professionals at the end of the day and we have to bat according to the situation and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle, but not the war," stated Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer during the post-match presentation.