Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clawed their way to second place in the IPL 2025 standings, setting up a Qualifier 1 clash with table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) on 29 May. This decisive match follows RCB’s impressive victory in their final league encounter. Consequently, Gujarat Titans (GT) will meet Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator on 30 May.
RCB’s chase of 228 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) starred Virat Kohli and stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma, who led with half-centuries. Despite Rishabh Pant’s powerful 118 from 61 balls, LSG couldn’t secure a win, allowing RCB their third appearance in Qualifier 1, having previously reached this stage in 2011 and 2016.
Both RCB and PBKS ended the league stage on 19 points, although PBKS edged ahead with a superior net run rate. PBKS confirmed their top-two finish by defeating MI, who stayed at 16 points. GT’s losses against LSG and Chennai Super Kings left them with 18 points.
After Pant’s innings guided LSG to 227 for 3, RCB seemed likely to face the Eliminator. However, Jitesh Sharma’s unbeaten 85 off 33 balls turned the tables, marking the third-highest successful chase in IPL history and making RCB the first team to win all seven of their designated away games.
RCB now face a swift turnaround, with only a day to prepare for their clash against PBKS in New Chandigarh on Thursday. GT and MI will follow with their own face-off at the same venue on Friday.
The tournament’s second Qualifier is planned for 1 June in Ahmedabad, with the final scheduled on 3 June.
