As Punjab Kings prepare to face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the much-anticipated Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, Mullanpur is expected to see partly cloudy skies with no chance of rain. This means fans can look forward to a full, uninterrupted match.
Top-Two Clash Builds Excitement
Both Punjab Kings and RCB earned their places in the top two during the league stage, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. Punjab comes into the game after a commanding seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, while RCB secured their spot by beating Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets.
Punjab’s Revival Under New Leadership
Punjab Kings have made the playoffs for the first time since 2014, thanks to the strong leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. This duo has brought much-needed consistency to a team that struggled for over a decade.
The opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and newcomer Priyansh Arya has laid a solid foundation, allowing key players like Iyer and Josh Inglis to capitalize. Finisher Shashank Singh continues to improve, and Australian recruit Marcus Stoinis has strengthened Punjab’s batting lineup.
RCB Seeks to End Knockout Heartbreak
Royal Challengers Bangalore, familiar with knockout stage disappointments, are determined to end their title drought. Pacer Josh Hazlewood is expected to return fully fit, and Tim David’s availability adds further balance to the squad.
Mullanpur Weather Forecast
Thursday evening in Mullanpur will be pleasant, with temperatures around 28°C and humidity at 43%. The forecast predicts partly cloudy conditions with no rain, promising uninterrupted play.
In the unlikely event of rain, Punjab Kings would advance directly to the final due to their superior net run rate, as both teams finish level with 19 points. If that happens, RCB would face the winner of Qualifier 2 between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Fortunately, no rain is expected during Friday’s eliminator match.
