IPL 2025 results: RCB beat Punjab Kings to reach first final since 2016 – bbc.com
India legend Virat Kohli has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the first Indian Premier League in 2008, but has never won the competition
Indian Premier League, New Chandigarh
Punjab Kings 101 (14.1 overs): S Sharma 3-17, Hazlewood 3-21
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 106-2 (10 overs): Salt 56 (27)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by eight wickets
Scorecard
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are one match from a first Indian Premier League title after sealing a place in the final with an eight-wicket thrashing of Punjab Kings.
Kings batted dismally and were bowled out for 101 in 14.1 overs, with RCB chasing down their low target with half the innings to spare.
Spinner Suyash Sharma and seamer Josh Hazlewood took three wickets apiece, while opener Phil Salt struck an unbeaten 56 from 27 deliveries as RCB recorded the biggest win by balls remaining in the history of the IPL play-offs.
RCB will now progress directly to Tuesday's final, their first since 2016, while Kings will play the winners of Friday's match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, with the victors taking the other place in the title decider.
Kings finished top of the regular season table, ahead of RCB on net run-rate, and went into bat after losing the toss in New Chandigarh.
They immediately found themselves in trouble, slipping to 38-4 inside the powerplay.
Marcus Stoinis top-scored with 26 from number six as Kings continued to steadily lose wickets, with opener Prabhsimran Singh and tail-ender Azmatullah (both 18) the only other batters to make it out of single figures.
Kings had defended 111 at this ground in April, but a repeat performance seemed like a tall order.
Kyle Jamieson had Virat Kohli caught behind for 12 in the fourth over, but from there England international Salt anchored a simple chase.
He struck six fours and three sixes in his innings, reaching 50 from 23 balls for his fastest half-century in the IPL.
However, it was Rajat Patidar who closed out the match in style, clearing the ropes from the final delivery of Musheer Khan's 10th over to wrap up a gigantic victory.
IPL play-offs – schedule & how to follow on the BBC
Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
Booze, beach, beaten – how England lost the Ashes
Top and bottom at Christmas – what does it mean?
Stokes wants to remain captain despite Ashes defeat
Your first look at the new series of The Traitors
How Skype lost its connection to the world
Preview all the EastEnders Christmas Day drama
Following the trail of a ruthless kidnapper
Booze, beach, beaten – how England lost the Ashes
'Test career over for now?' – Ashes player ratings
The 10 moments that decided the Ashes
Top and bottom at Christmas – what does it mean?
Test Match Special Podcast. Audio
Joshua and Paul earn riches but deliver budget sporting spectacle
Sutton's predictions v Zambian rapper Sampa the Great
England's X-factor has 'hill to climb' – will Palmer go to World Cup?
McIlroy crowned Sports Personality of the Year. Video
Europe's Ryder Cup winners named Team of The Year. Video
Why 2025 feels like NFL 'snow globe's been shaken'
I've realised I can make a difference – Hoy
Why are Premier League shirts so expensive?
Active aero and overtake mode – F1's new terminology
How the Prem transfer market got hot
'Felt like humiliation' – Egypt reacts to Salah's Liverpool row
The man behind the headlines – Salah, by Klopp, Diaz and more
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Share this content:
Post Comment