Kohli closer to maiden IPL title as Bengaluru storm into final
Punjab Kings players congratulates Kyle Jamieson, centre, after he took the wicket of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 qualifier at Chandigarh on 29 May 2025.
Photo:
SHAMMI MEHRA/AFP
New Zealand paceman Kyle Jamieson claimed
Virat Kohli's
wicket, but Kohli had the last laugh as his Royal Challengers Bengaluru romped into the Indian Premier League final with an eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings.
However, the Kings still have a chance of making the final, if they can win the second qualifier against the winner of Saturday's eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. Kiwis Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner are in the Mumbai squad.
Kohli inched closer to a maiden IPL title after his side thrashed the Kings in a lopsided qualifier to reach the final of the 10-team tournament, Reuters reported.
A superlative performance by their bowlers left Bengaluru needing only 102 to make Wednesday's final and they reached the target in just 10 overs with opener Phil Salt, who made 56 not out, leading the charge.
Kohli made 12 before Jamieson enticed an edge with an outswinger that wicketkeeper Josh Inglis comfortably caught in the fourth over.
The former India captain has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Bengaluru reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but were beaten on all three occasions.
"It's a great feeling right now," Salt said. "Obviously we had a second bite at the cherry but it's such a good feeling to get that out of the way first time.
"It just gives us that momentum. It's such a cliche but it's so true at the back end of the tournament."
Bengaluru have looked formidable this season and electing to field, their fiery pace attack, led by a returning Josh Hazlewood, bundled out Punjab in 14.1 overs.
Having recovered from a shoulder niggle, Hazlewood led Bengaluru's superb pace display as they reduced Punjab to 71-7 at the halfway stage of their innings.
Hazlewood's (3-21) victims included rival skipper Shreyas Iyer, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the important wicket of Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab's leading scorer this season.
Marcus Stoinis made 26 before losing his stumps to leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who claimed 3-17 in his three overs.
Bengaluru raced to 61-1 in their six powerplay overs, compared to Punjab's 48-4, with Salt hitting boundaries almost at will.
Salt took 23 balls to bring up his fifty and skipper Rajat Patidar hit a six to seal Bengaluru's victory in a match that lasted only 24.1 overs.
New Zealander Tim Seifert is in the Bengaluru squad but did not play against the Kings.
- RNZ Sport/Reuters
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