Blog

Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025
Time: 15:00 IST
Venue: Mullanpur
TV Broadcast: Live on star Sports

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🔍 Match Overview

Punjab Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-stakes IPL 2025 qualifier, with a direct ticket to the final on the line. Both teams are in strong form, having secured top-two finishes in the group stages. This match will be a test of Punjab’s explosive batting against RCB’s calculated and disciplined approach.

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📰 Team Form & News

Punjab Kings

Punjab put in a commanding performance against Mumbai Indians to reach this stage, with both bat and ball clicking at the right time. Their aggressive top order and depth down to No. 10 have made them one of the most dangerous sides this season. However, they’ve been hit by the unavailability of Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mitch Owen.

In contention: Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie

Fitness boost: Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to return after a finger injury

Key batters: Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Prab Singh

Probable XI: Arya, Prab Singh, Inglis, Wadhera, Iyer, Stoinis, Shahshank, Hardie/Jamieson, Bartlett, Arshdeep, Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB surged into second place by defeating Lucknow Super Giants in their final league match. Despite concerns about their bowling attack, they’ve remained solid under pressure — and the return of Josh Hazlewood strengthens their pace unit considerably.

Boost: Hazlewood returns; key to control in the middle overs

Injury watch: Tim David remains doubtful

Strategic rotation: Seifert could challenge Liam Livingstone for a middle-order role

Probable XI: Salt, Kohli, Patidar (subbed in), Seifert/Livingstone, Agarwal, Jitesh (capt.), Shepherd, Krunal, B Kumar, Dayal, Hazlewood

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🏟️ Pitch & Venue Insights – Mullanpur

Mullanpur has evolved into a venue that offers assistance to both batters and bowlers. While the early matches of the season saw high scores, more recent games have produced results that suggest bowlers are finding joy, especially when the surface slows down.

Average run rate: Around 8.57

High scores rare: Totals above 183 have been posted just three times across nine games

Recent trend: Teams are adapting with more conservative and calculated innings

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🧠 Tactical Preview

RCB’s strength lies in their ability to strangle aggressive batting lineups through smart use of pace variations and disciplined spin. Their prior win over Punjab at this venue showcased that ability, with their lesser-known spinners like Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma proving effective.

Punjab, on the other hand, thrive on momentum and dominance with the bat. If they get a good start and Chahal returns to form, they will fancy their chances. However, RCB’s methodical style under Andy Flower and their ability to neutralize opposition strength may give them the edge in a pressurized setting.

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🧾 Key Players to Watch

Virat Kohli – Anchoring RCB’s innings and potentially a game-changer under pressure

Josh Hazlewood – His return could tilt the balance in RCB’s favour, especially with a bowler-friendly pitch

Marcus Stoinis – The all-rounder’s role with both bat and ball could define Punjab’s fortunes

Yuzvendra Chahal – Spin could be a deciding factor if the pitch slows down

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🏁 Final Thought

This match has all the ingredients of a classic — two strong, contrasting teams at a venue that has started favouring tactical bowling over brute force. With a place in the IPL final at stake, expect a fiercely contested game where discipline may outclass flamboyance