RCB Storm Into Qualifier 1 After Epic Chase, Set to Face PBKS in IPL 2025 Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) capped off their league campaign in thrilling fashion, chasing down a daunting 228 against Lucknow Super Giants to seal a second-place finish on the IPL 2025 points table. Their victory secured a coveted spot in Qualifier 1 against table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS), set to take place on May 29 in New Chandigarh.

RCB’s charge was spearheaded by Virat Kohli’s composed half-century and a stunning, unbeaten 85 off 33 balls from stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma, overshadowing a blistering 61-ball 118 from Rishabh Pant. It marked RCB’s third appearance in Qualifier 1, following previous top-two finishes in 2011 and 2016. The win also made RCB the first team in IPL history to win all seven of their designated away games in a single season.

Both RCB and PBKS ended the league stage with 19 points, but PBKS secured the top spot thanks to a superior net run rate. Their victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) a day earlier proved decisive in keeping MI at fourth place on 16 points, while Gujarat Titans (GT), despite leading much of the season, dropped to third after back-to-back losses.

In the playoff picture:

• Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB – May 29, New Chandigarh

• Eliminator: GT vs MI – May 30, New Chandigarh

• Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator – June 1, Ahmedabad

• Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 – June 3, Ahmedabad

With momentum on their side, RCB will look to capitalize on their historic chase and short turnaround as they aim for a long-awaited maiden IPL title.

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