Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 today. This exciting match will be played at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh at 7:30 PM.
PBKS Playoff Stats: An intriguing clash is set to unfold this evening at the Mullanpur ground in New Chandigarh in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is crucial for both teams, but especially significant for Punjab Kings, who have reached the playoffs after an 11-year gap. Before this important match, let's look at some key aspects of Punjab's playoff achievements and records.
Punjab's Playoff Journey: Struggles and Challenges
Punjab Kings have reached the IPL playoffs several times throughout history, but success has eluded them. Overall, the team has played four playoff matches, winning only one and losing three. Their performance in Qualifier 1, in particular, has been underwhelming.
The team has only qualified for Qualifier 1 once, in 2014. That year, under George Bailey's captaincy, Punjab Kings lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. After losing Qualifier 1, Punjab won Qualifier 2 to reach the final, but suffered defeat there as well.
Even in 2008, when the playoff structure was different and two semi-final matches were played, Punjab Kings were defeated by Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets in the Eliminator. This clearly indicates that major IPL matches have consistently presented a challenge for Punjab.
Wriddhiman Saha's Dominance in Batting
Batsman Wriddhiman Saha stands out in Punjab's playoff campaigns. Saha has scored a total of 156 runs in three playoff matches, the highest by any Punjab player in the playoffs. Saha's performance is particularly noteworthy because he has proven to be a reliable player for his team in high-pressure situations. Virender Sehwag is second with 131 runs, followed by Manan Vohra with 127 runs.
Karanveer Singh's Dominance in Bowling
In the bowling department, Karanveer Singh has been the most impactful performer for Punjab. He has taken a total of seven wickets in three playoff matches, setting a new record for most wickets taken by a Punjab bowler in the playoffs. Mitchell Johnson is second with five wickets, and Axar Patel is third with three. Karanveer Singh's achievement has boosted the confidence of Punjab's bowlers, and they hope his pace bowling will benefit the team in Qualifier 1.
The Dream of Winning Qualifier 1
Punjab Kings aim to win the Qualifier 1 match this time and directly reach the final. Team coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer believe that the team is yet to showcase its true potential. They view the playoffs as a fresh start for the team and have stated that the team will demonstrate its full strength in the upcoming crucial matches.
This Qualifier 1 match against RCB in Mullanpur will be extremely exciting. RCB also possesses several young and experienced players capable of changing the course of the match. Punjab Kings will put in their best effort to improve their playoff record.
