PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025: RCB storms into fourth final with crushing win over Punjab Kings
Almost everything that the RCB bowlers did fell into place as Punjab Kings' catastrophic explosion with the bat saw it folding up for 101 in 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma starred with three scalps each.
With Phil Salt spearheading the chase, the target was knocked off in 10 overs with eight wickets in hand. It takes RCB to a fourth IPL final, in Ahmedabad on June 3, and ignites hope among its fervent fanbase of a long-awaited maiden title. For PBKS, it is not quite the end of the road. It will play Qualifier 2 against the winner of Friday's Eliminator.
A key factor in Punjab's run this season has been the spunk shown by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. But on the big day, neither lasted long enough. After punching Bhuvneshwar Kumar through backward point for four, Priyansh succumbed to an uppish drive off Yash Dayal.
Prabhsimran was looking to assert himself by running down the track and hitting Bhuvneshwar for back-to-back fours. But there's a fine line between aggression and recklessness. He chanced his luck when he charged at Bhuvneshwar again, only to lose his shape and get caught behind.
RELATED | PBKS vs RCB QUALIFIER 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Hazlewood's introduction brought further joy for RCB. Having missed the last three games with a shoulder injury, the Australian emphasised his importance by removing Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis in successive overs. Shreyas wouldn't want to watch a replay of his wicket, for it was an ungainly hoick across the line that resulted in an outside edge to Jitesh Sharma.
At the start of the sixth over, Inglis top-edged a pull against his Australian compatriot and found Bhuvneshwar at fine-leg.
Wickets continued to tumble like ninepins as 38 for four became 50 for five, 60 for six and 60 for seven. Nehal Wadhera chopped on a delivery by Dayal while Shashank Singh was cleaned up by Suyash's googly. The leggie also trapped impact player Musheer Khan leg-before in his opening over. Marcus Stoinis waged a lone battle briefly, getting to 26 off 17 balls, before his stumps were rearranged by another of Suyash's wrong 'uns.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Ban on real money gaming may york cricket revenues
The ban on online games involving money is set to dent sports advertising and sponsorship revenue, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcaster JioStar expected to take a major hit, according to industry sports firms, which spend more than Rs 5,000 crore annually on advertising, are among the biggest backers of cricket properties. A large share of their spends goes into marquee tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and International Cricket Council (ICC) events, the executives said. It is also likely to impact the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled for September 9 to 28. It will air on Sony Pictures Networks India. Dream11, the current jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team, signed a Rs 358 crore deal in July 2023 that runs till 2026. My11Circle, an official IPL partner, committed Rs 625 crore in February 2024 for a deal valid till 2028. JioStar, which owns media rights for the IPL, ICC and BCCI, could face a revenue hit as fantasy platforms are among the largest TV and digital advertisers for cricket. Both Dream11 and My11Circle were key sponsors on Star Sports and JioHotstar during IPL 2025.'Fantasy sports companies have been major contributors to cricket advertising. A ban will have an impact,' said Shashi Sinha, executive chairman, IPG spent Rs 2,964 crore on ads in 2022-23, while Games24x7, which owns My11Circle and RummyCircle, spent Rs 1,421 estimates cricket drives 85-90% of fantasy sports revenues, with the IPL as the biggest growth engine. During IPL 2024, the sector generated $510 million in gross gaming revenue, up 27% Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, drafted by the electronics and information technology ministry, seeks to ban all online games involving money. The bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. How an auto giant trapped global investors in an INR1,000 crore heist Fortis Healthcare still heals portfolios, but valuations are running hot. Swiggy, Tencent backer Prosus gets Rajinikanth fan to script India AI play IndiGo's GIFT City unit: Simple expansion or is there more to it than meets the eye? Stock Radar: Rico Auto stock showing signs of bottoming out after about 40% fall from highs; what should investors do now? GST rationalization: You don't become irrational; 10 stocks, from two sectors, some may get more, some less, some nothing Focus on core business and ignore the rest: 5 small-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 48% Multibagger or IBC - Part 20: An ICE-to-EV pivot is transforming this small-cap auto ancillary company
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Ajit Agarkar's comment sparks row as Shreyas Iyer left 'confused' by Asia Cup snub: 'Was a nonsensical statement'
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has called out incumbent chief selector Ajit Agarkar for leaving Shreyas Iyer out of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and for making a 'nonsensical' statement to explain his omission. Shreyas Iyer has not been named in the 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2025 Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth — a former chief selector himself — admitted he was utterly baffled by the team management's decision to exclude Iyer from the T20I tournament despite his recent white-ball form, which includes strong performances in the Champions Trophy and the IPL. When asked about the decision to omit the Punjab Kings captain during Tuesday's press conference, Agarkar outlined the challenges of selection. He even countered by asking who Iyer could have replaced in the side, before admitting that there was no fault in the batter's performances. 'With regard to Shreyas, who can he replace? No fault of his, nor is it ours. At the moment, you can only pick 15,' Agarkar said. Not only was Iyer left out of the 15-member squad, he also failed to find a place in the standby list, further fuelling criticism over his omission. 'On current form, Shreyas Iyer is an automatic choice. Let's be very clear. You need to look at recent matches; there's no point judging a player by form from a year ago. He scored 600 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 175. Strike rate is the most important factor here,' Srikkanth said. 'He has been brilliant. Yet you have left him out. You've confused him now,' he added. 'For a player who has performed so well, you are saying: 'tell me who he will replace in the side'. I cannot understand this statement. It's a nonsensical statement from Agarkar. Totally nonsensical. I don't agree with him.' 'I cannot understand the logic' Srikkanth also questioned the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the squad, pointing to his IPL 2025 numbers — 285 runs at a strike rate of 140. The former opener argued that Iyer was a better fit compared to the wicketkeeper-batter. 'You can accommodate Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson, but there's no place for Shreyas Iyer. What is this statement? I cannot understand the logic behind this. There's no logic at all,' he said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ban on real money gaming may york cricket revenues
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The ban on online games involving money is set to dent sports advertising and sponsorship revenue, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcaster JioStar expected to take a major hit, according to industry sports firms, which spend more than Rs 5,000 crore annually on advertising, are among the biggest backers of cricket properties. A large share of their spends goes into marquee tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and International Cricket Council (ICC) events, the executives is also likely to impact the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled for September 9 to 28. It will air on Sony Pictures Networks the current jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team, signed a Rs 358 crore deal in July 2023 that runs till 2026. My11Circle, an official IPL partner, committed Rs 625 crore in February 2024 for a deal valid till which owns media rights for the IPL, ICC and BCCI, could face a revenue hit as fantasy platforms are among the largest TV and digital advertisers for cricket. Both Dream11 and My11Circle were key sponsors on Star Sports and JioHotstar during IPL 2025.'Fantasy sports companies have been major contributors to cricket advertising. A ban will have an impact,' said Shashi Sinha, executive chairman, IPG spent Rs 2,964 crore on ads in 2022-23, while Games24x7, which owns My11Circle and RummyCircle, spent Rs 1,421 estimates cricket drives 85-90% of fantasy sports revenues, with the IPL as the biggest growth engine. During IPL 2024, the sector generated $510 million in gross gaming revenue, up 27% Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, drafted by the electronics and information technology ministry, seeks to ban all online games involving money. The bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha.
