Bengaluru, May 29 :- In a do-or-die encounter at the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, Punjab’s batting lineup crumbled spectacularly, getting dismissed for just 101 runs — one of their lowest ever totals in a playoff match. With just 102 runs to chase, Bengaluru now finds itself in pole position to punch their ticket to this year’s final.
The collapse wasn’t just a bad day — it was a clinical dismantling orchestrated by two standout bowlers: the experienced Josh Hazlewood and the rising spin sensation Suyash Sharma. Hazlewood, with his signature pace and seam control, struck early blows that derailed Punjab’s top order. Then came Suyash, weaving magic in the middle overs, tying batters down and picking up three key wickets to break the backbone of the innings.
Despite walking in with high hopes, Punjab couldn’t recover from the early blows. Their middle order, which has rescued them before, faltered under pressure. No batter managed to cross the 30-run mark, and wickets kept tumbling like dominoes. The scoreboard pressure, coupled with Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling and razor-sharp fielding, made survival look like a task.
With the target set at just 102, Bengaluru’s job seems straightforward on paper. But in knockout cricket, pressure can be unpredictable. Still, given the form and experience in their batting unit, fans and analysts alike expect them to close this game without much fuss.
This match now hangs on the second innings — will Bengaluru calmly cruise to the final, or will Punjab’s bowlers script a last-gasp miracle?
Stay tuned. The chase begins soon — and so does the drama.
