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Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are gearing up to face each other in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, scheduled for May 29. With the stakes as high as ever, the winner of this clash will secure a direct berth in the final, while the losing side will get one more opportunity to reach the summit through Qualifier 2.
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru set for high-stakes Qualifier 1 clash
This matchup brings together two teams that have showcased remarkable transformation throughout the season. Punjab, under the inspired leadership of Shreyas Iyer and the guidance of coach Ricky Ponting, have emerged as the table-toppers, a feat they hadn’t achieved since their dream run over a decade ago in 2014. Their aggressive brand of cricket, bolstered by fearless batting and sharp tactical awareness, has made them one of the most compelling stories of IPL 2025.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru, a side often accused of falling short in crunch moments, have flipped the narrative this season. With a thrilling victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their final league fixture, RCB surged to second place on the points table, riding high on momentum and belief. Spearheaded by a resurgent Virat Kohli, who has once again stamped his authority as one of T20 cricket’s greatest, Bengaluru will look to seize this golden opportunity to take a giant leap towards their long-awaited maiden IPL title.
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Tom Moody’s key match-up for the Qualifier 1
As with any high-pressure playoff clash, the game could swing on a single match-up , and Tom Moody has already identified what could be the most defining head-to-head battle.
“I’m quite looking forward to Arshdeep Singh vs. Phil Salt. It’s a fascinating match-up, Arshdeep has dismissed Salt four times, conceding just 25 runs. That’s a significant advantage,” Moody said in his pre-match analysis to ESPNcricinfo
Arshdeep’s ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers and hit the hard lengths makes him a genuine threat with the new ball, especially against someone like Salt, who thrives on powerplay momentum. RCB rely heavily on Salt to provide a turbocharged start, and if Arshdeep can get the better of him once again, it could set the tone early in Punjab’s favour. In a contest this tight, such battles within the war could very well decide who gets that crucial early advantage.
Who reaches the IPL 2025 final? Moody’s verdict
When it comes to predicting who edges past in such a tightly contested Qualifier, there are never any easy answers. Yet, Tom Moody, with all his experience and analysis, has his instincts leaning in one direction. “I’ve got RCB’s nose just in front,” he admitted.
Bangalore are coming off a high, they’ve found balance across departments, and they boast a blend of experience and youth that has clicked just at the right moment. Their run of form, combined with the leadership of Kohli and the match-winning abilities of players like Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood and Salt gives them a slight psychological edge. But Punjab are no underdogs either , not in attitude, not in approach, and certainly not in impact. If their top order fires and their fearless approach holds strong under pressure, they could easily flip the script. One thing is certain: cricket lovers are in for a blockbuster at New Chandigarh, with two teams rewriting their destinies.
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