The scene is all set for Qualifier 1 of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) as table-leaders Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face Royal Challengers (RCB) in Mullanpur on Thursday. PBKS achieved top two position on Monday after defeating Mumbai Indians (MI), only for RCB to join them after recording a dramatic victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the last league match of IPL 2025 on Tuesday. Both the teams finished with 21 points from 14 matches, though PBKS topped the table thanks to a superior net run-rate.
No Reserve Day for Qualifier 1 – What Happens If It Rains?
Still, there is no rainy day cover for Qualifier 1 in case the game is rained out. So, what happens then if rain is the spoilsport in Mullanpur?
In that event, PBKS will go to the final as they had topped the league table. RCB, nevertheless, will then face the winners of Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans for a final spot.
Both Teams Eye Final Berth with Aggressive Approach
Having secured the buffer of a top-two spot, both teams can be expected to have a no-holds-barred approach with the knowledge that they will get another chance of making it to the final even if they fall short on the first night of the play-offs.
Punjab Kings are in uncharted territory having reached the play-offs for the first time since 2014 but they are not burdened by the past in the Iyer-Ricky Ponting (head coach) era.
RCB Chase Redemption in Yet Another Knockout Challenge
RCB, meanwhile, are far too used to knock-out stage heartbreaks and like each season, are looking to break their title drought. In their own words, both title hopefuls have their job only halfway through.
The Iyer-Ponting alliance has seen Punjab Kings perform a turnaround of note, finally unlocking the consistency code after over a decade of under-achievement. The blend has been able to extract the best out of the players and turn them into a well-oiled machine.
