Punjab Kings to Face RCB in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1,The league stage of IPL 2025 has concluded, and the focus now shifts to the high-stakes playoffs, set to begin on Thursday, May 29. The first two matches — Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator — will be played in Chandigarh, while Qualifier 2 and the Final are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad.
Punjab Kings will face RCB in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025.
The four teams that have made it to the playoffs are Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Mumbai Indians (MI). All four sides have displayed quality cricket throughout the tournament, and the stage is now set for a thrilling climax to the season.
Punjab Kings have been one of the standout teams this year. Under the dynamic leadership of Shreyas Iyer and the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS have reached the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. With a strong squad and solid momentum, they will be aiming to make history by clinching their maiden IPL title.
PBKS finished the league stage on top of the points table with 19 points, thanks to 9 wins, 4 losses, and one no-result due to rain. Their balanced performances with both bat and ball have made them serious contenders for the trophy.
Among the few franchises yet to win the IPL, Punjab Kings now have a golden opportunity to break the jinx. With their form and confidence high, they are widely considered one of the favourites this season. If they continue to play to their potential, lifting the trophy may finally become a reality.
Their first challenge in the playoffs will be against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1, to be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh on Thursday, May 29.
However, the road ahead won’t be easy. The pressure of knockout matches can be immense — something PBKS aren’t very familiar with, given their limited experience in the playoffs. To go all the way, they will need to bring their A-game in all departments and handle the pressure with composure.
Punjab Kings’ Record in IPL Qualifier 1:
In that 2014 Qualifier 1 match, Punjab Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders to secure their spot in the final. This gives them a perfect 100% winning record in Qualifier 1 games. Riding on this confidence, they will be eager to beat RCB and book their place in the final once again.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of times Punjab Kings qualified for playoffs before IPL 2025 | 2 times |
| Number of times Punjab Kings played in Qualifier 1 before IPL 2025 | 1 time |
| Year Punjab Kings played Qualifier 1 | 2014 |
| Captain during 2014 Qualifier 1 | George Bailey |
| Result of Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 (2014) | Won against Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Outcome of the 2014 Qualifier 1 win | Qualified for the final |
| Punjab Kings’ win rate in Qualifier 1 | 100% (1 win out of 1 game) |
| Confidence for upcoming Qualifier 1 against RCB | High, due to past success |
| Goal for upcoming Qualifier 1 | Win against RCB and secure a place in the final |