IPL 2025: How Punjab Kings can derail Bengaluru’s title push in Qualifier 1
Underdogs at home, Punjab look to punch above their weight in crunch Qualifier 1 clash
Dubai: The Indian Premier League Qualifier 1 is just hours away, and the top two teams of Season 18 are gearing up for the biggest battle of their campaign. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings — both chasing a maiden IPL title — meet in Chandigarh today with a spot in the final on the line.
It’s a high-stakes contest, but the playoffs are a different beast. While the loser will get a second chance in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, this is where pressure tests character more than skill. Here, home advantage and crowd support could prove invaluable.
Punjab’s batting unit faces scrutiny
Punjab, despite finishing top of the table, will need their young guns to fire. Their batting heavily revolves around skipper Shreyas Iyer, with Josh Inglis providing the only major spark in recent outings. Inglis is likely to bat at No. 3 again, but replicating his past heroics against Bengaluru’s in-form attack — led by Josh Hazlewood — won’t be easy.
The bigger concern will be the consistency of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, who must handle the pressure of a big-match environment.
Advantage Bengaluru, but Punjab have belief
RCB come into this with confidence after a dominant six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Kings just two nights ago. Virat Kohli and Jitesh Sharma struck half-centuries to guide Bengaluru into second place, finishing with 19 points — just behind Punjab, who edged them out on net run rate.
While Bengaluru are unbeaten away from home this season, Punjab will draw strength from their group stage win in a rain-affected game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Coach Ricky Ponting and captain Iyer will know the value of aggressive cricket and calculated risks. They’ve come this far with six uncapped Indian players and won’t want to let this opportunity slip.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal could be Punjab’s trump card in slowing down Bengaluru’s power-packed line-up and preventing them from running away with the game early. Shreyas and Chahal could be the two main pillars the team need to build their success against Bengaluru.
Uthappa backs Punjab, but expects a thriller
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa expects the clash to be a humdinger. Speaking on JioHotstar, he said Punjab’s home advantage could give them the edge, though RCB remain capable of delivering a knockout blow.
“Both Punjab Kings and RCB have momentum. It’s going to be a humdinger of a game,” Uthappa said. “Punjab may have a slight edge playing at home. But RCB can absolutely respond.”
He also backed Kohli to lead the charge. “From this victory (over LSG), one person who’ll still be up is Virat Kohli. He gets that chance again to go into the back end of the tournament and try to win that IPL championship for RCB — a trophy he definitely wants in his cabinet.”
Can Punjab’s fearless core handle the heat?
For all the talk of momentum, it may come down to temperament. Bengaluru boast the big names and the form, but Punjab’s blend of youthful exuberance and fearless cricket has already taken them further than many expected. If their bowling can hold its nerve and the top order steps up, the Kings might just script another upset — one that derails RCB’s title dreams and brings Punjab within touching distance of glory.
