PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025: RCB’s Bowling Blitz Flattens Punjab in QF1 – First Innings Review Highlights
Harshini 
Opening Salvo: RCB Strike Early as PBKS Stumble
The high-stakes Quarter-Final 1 of IPL 2025 at Mullanpur began with a dramatic collapse as Punjab Kings (PBKS) crumbled under relentless pressure from Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) pace attack. After electing to bat first, PBKS found themselves in disarray by the end of the powerplay, reeling at 45/5.
- Wicket 1 (0.3): Bhuvneshwar Kumar kicked off with disciplined bowling and Priyansh Arya cracked a four to get off the mark.
- Wicket 2 (1.2): Arya looked aggressive but mistimed a cover drive off Yash Dayal, finding Krunal Pandya. PBKS 7/1.
- Wicket 3 (3.0): Prabhsimran Singh, after hitting three quick boundaries and a six, was undone by a smart short ball from Bhuvneshwar. Jitesh Sharma completed the catch.
PBKS were under immense pressure, and the RCB bowling unit had already shown signs of complete dominance.
🎯 Powerplay Pressure: RCB Seize Momentum
RCB’s strategy to rotate pace worked brilliantly. Josh Hazlewood’s introduction added fire to the attack, and Punjab’s top order continued to perish.
- Wicket 4 (3.4): Shreyas Iyer attempted an ugly hoick and edged to Jitesh Sharma off Hazlewood. PBKS now 21/3.
- Wicket 5 (5.1): Josh Inglis misjudged a pull shot against a short ball from Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar took a simple catch at long leg.
- Momentum Hits (5.5 & 6.3): Marcus Stoinis tried to wrest back momentum with a six and a four but Nehal Wadhera was bowled shortly after, inside-edging Yash Dayal onto his stumps.
At the end of 6 overs, PBKS were struggling at 49/5, with chaos replacing confidence.
🧠 Suyash Sharma Spins a Web of Trouble
Suyash Sharma was the trump card RCB needed to tighten the noose. His spell turned the game on its head with lethal wrong ‘uns and clever variations.
- Wicket 6 (8.2): Shashank Singh was the first to fall to Suyash’s deceptive googly, misreading it completely.
- Wicket 7 (8.5): Musheer Khan fell LBW soon after, reviewing in vain as ball tracking confirmed three reds.
- Wicket 8 (10.3): Stoinis, trying to counter-attack, missed another wrong ‘un and saw his leg stump pegged back.
From a minor rebuild to a complete collapse, Suyash’s spell broke the back of PBKS, leaving them reeling at 66/8 by the 11th over.
🚨 Middle-Order Misery: Shepherd and Hazlewood Clean Up the Tail
Rajat Patidar’s captaincy came alive with excellent bowling changes as Dwayne Shepherd and Hazlewood returned to wipe out the tail.
- Wicket 9 (13.3): Harpreet Brar fell bowled to a back-of-length delivery from Shepherd that deflected off the arm onto the stumps.
- Flashes of Fight: Azmatullah Omarzai hit a six and a four to inject brief hope but fell shortly after to a spectacular one-handed catch by keeper Jitesh Sharma.
- Wicket 10 (14.1): Azmatullah’s edge flew high, but Jitesh leapt like a superhero to pluck it out of the air. Hazlewood wrapped up the innings with figures of 3/18.
PBKS were bowled out for 101 in 14.1 overs, a total that felt well below par for the occasion.
🔥 Key Wicket Timeline – PBKS Innings in Collapse Mode
| Over | Wicket | Batsman | Bowler | Runs | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 1st | Priyansh Arya | Yash Dayal | 7 | Caught |
| 3.0 | 2nd | Prabhsimran Singh | Bhuvneshwar | 18 | Caught |
| 3.4 | 3rd | Shreyas Iyer | Hazlewood | 2 | Caught |
| 5.1 | 4th | Josh Inglis | Hazlewood | 4 | Caught |
| 6.3 | 5th | Nehal Wadhera | Yash Dayal | 8 | Bowled |
| 8.2 | 6th | Shashank Singh | Suyash Sharma | 3 | Bowled |
| 8.5 | 7th | Musheer Khan | Suyash Sharma | 0 | LBW |
| 10.3 | 8th | Marcus Stoinis | Suyash Sharma | 26 | Bowled |
| 13.3 | 9th | Harpreet Brar | Shepherd | 4 | Bowled |
| 14.1 | 10th | Azmatullah Omarzai | Hazlewood | 18 | Caught |
⭐ Star of the Innings: Suyash Sharma’s Spin Masterclass
- Figures: 3 overs, 3 wickets, 14 runs
- Wickets: Shashank, Musheer, Stoinis
- Impact: Broke PBKS’s back in the middle overs with back-to-back breakthroughs.
- Special Note: His wrong ‘uns completely bamboozled the batters who failed to read him off the hand or the pitch.
📊 Bowling Breakdown – RCB’s Clinical Domination
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 3.1 | 21 | 3 |
| Yash Dayal | 3 | 26 | 2 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2 | 17 | 1 |
| Suyash Sharma | 3 | 17 | 3 |
| Romario Shepherd | 1 | 5 | 1 |
🔍 Strategic Insights – What Went Wrong for PBKS
- Shot Selection Woes: Multiple dismissals were caused by poor judgment – slogs, swipes, and misreads.
- No Partnerships: PBKS failed to build any steady stand; highest partnership was just 22 runs.
- Spin Struggles: Suyash’s wrong ‘uns were unreadable, showing a lack of preparation.
🧨 Verdict: RCB’s Dream Start to a High-Stakes Clash
This was nothing short of a dream bowling performance from RCB. Smart captaincy, excellent execution, and breathtaking fielding defined their first innings dominance. With just 102 to chase, RCB will back themselves to book a ticket to the IPL 2025 final unless PBKS can conjure a miraculous comeback with the ball.
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 First Innings Recap sets the tone for a thrilling second half – but Punjab’s hopes now rest on an unlikely miracle.
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