Qualifier 1 RCB’s team close to easy win against PBKS thanks to bowling attack
In the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match on May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101 runs in 14.1 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
RCB won the toss and elected to field, a decision that proved effective as their bowlers dominated.
Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood were the standout performers for RCB, each taking 3 wickets, with Sharma conceding 17 runs and Hazlewood 21.
Punjab Kings’ batting collapsed, with key players like Josh Inglis falling early (4 runs off 7 balls). The team’s run rate was 7.21, and the last 5 overs yielded only 41 runs for 2 wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai (18* off 10) and Harpreet Brar (4 off 11) were among the last batsmen, with Brar dismissed by Romario Shepherd, chopping onto his stumps. No individual Punjab Kings batter made a significant impact, and the innings ended with a whimper, setting RCB a modest target of 102 to chase. Posts on X reflected shock at Punjab’s low total, with some fans mocking the collapse and others urging RCB to capitalize on the chase.
Explain RCB’s bowling strategyIn the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match on May 29, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) executed a highly effective bowling strategy to bowl out Punjab Kings for 101 runs in 14.1 overs.
Based on the match details and general cricketing analysis, here’s an explanation of RCB’s bowling approach:
Exploiting Early Swing and Seam Movement: RCB’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss suggests they anticipated favorable conditions for pace bowling at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Josh Hazlewood, a key fast bowler, was likely used upfront to exploit any early swing or seam movement. His figures of 3/21 indicate he targeted the top order, aiming for disciplined line and length to induce edges or lbw dismissals, as seen with early wickets like Josh Inglis (4 off 7).
Mix of Pace and Spin to Maintain Pressure: RCB employed a balanced attack, combining pace with spin to keep Punjab’s batsmen under constant pressure. Suyash Sharma, a spinner, also claimed 3/17, suggesting he was introduced to exploit the middle overs where Punjab’s batsmen struggled to rotate the strike. Sharma likely bowled tight lines, possibly using variations like googlies or sliders, to deceive batsmen on a pitch offering some grip, contributing to Punjab’s collapse.
Targeting Key Batsmen Early: RCB’s strategy focused on dismissing Punjab’s top-order batsmen quickly to prevent momentum. The early dismissal of Inglis and other top-order players disrupted Punjab’s batting plans, forcing lower-order batsmen like Harpreet Brar and Azmatullah Omarzai into defensive roles. This was evident in the low run rate (7.21) and the fact that no Punjab batsman could anchor the innings.
Effective Use of Death Bowling: In the latter stages, RCB used bowlers like Romario Shepherd to close out the innings. Shepherd’s dismissal of Harpreet Brar (chopping onto his stumps) highlights RCB’s strategy of bowling fuller lengths or yorkers to restrict scoring and induce mistakes in the death overs. The last 5 overs yielding only 41 runs for 2 wickets shows RCB’s ability to tighten the screws when Punjab tried to accelerate.
Field Placements and Tactical Variations: RCB likely complemented their bowling with aggressive field placements, such as attacking slips or close-in fielders for Hazlewood’s pace and a mix of boundary riders and inner-circle fielders for Sharma’s spin. This would have limited Punjab’s scoring options, forcing risky shots that led to wickets. The quick fall of wickets (all out in 14.1 overs) suggests RCB maintained relentless pressure through smart captaincy and bowler execution.
Overall, RCB’s strategy revolved around leveraging early conditions, using a mix of pace and spin to disrupt Punjab’s batting rhythm, and maintaining tight lines to prevent any recovery. The success of Hazlewood and Sharma, backed by Shepherd’s finishing blow, underscores a well-executed plan that capitalized on Punjab’s batting frailties, setting up an achievable chase of 102 runs.
In the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match on May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101 runs in 14.1 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Punjab Kings’ batting performance based on available information:
Top-Order Collapse: Punjab Kings’ batting lineup struggled from the outset, unable to counter RCB’s disciplined bowling attack. Josh Inglis, a key top-order batsman, was dismissed early for just 4 runs off 7 balls, setting the tone for a shaky start. The top order failed to build partnerships, with early wickets falling to RCB’s pace and spin combination, particularly Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17).
Middle-Order Struggles: The middle order couldn’t stabilize the innings, as RCB’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. No batsman managed a significant score, with the highest individual contribution likely coming from Azmatullah Omarzai, who remained not out on 18 off 10 balls. His late effort, however, was insufficient to lift the team’s total. The lack of a substantial partnership or an anchor innings meant Punjab couldn’t recover from early losses.
Lower-Order Resistance: Harpreet Brar (4 off 11) and Omarzai tried to hold the innings together, but Brar’s dismissal—chopping onto his stumps off Romario Shepherd—highlighted the lower order’s inability to counter RCB’s death bowling. The team’s run rate was a modest 7.21, with the last 5 overs producing only 41 runs for 2 wickets, indicating a cautious approach that failed to yield runs.
Overall Performance: Punjab Kings’ batting was marked by a lack of aggression and poor shot selection, leading to a collapse in just 14.1 overs. The team couldn’t adapt to the pitch conditions or RCB’s varied bowling attack, which mixed pace, swing, and spin effectively. No batsman reached a significant score, and the innings folded for a paltry 101, setting RCB a target of 102.