The IPL 2025 playoffs kick off with a blockbuster showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29. For RCB fans, the dream of lifting an elusive IPL trophy is alive once again, and this season, the team looks better poised than ever to finally break their title drought.
Unlike previous playoff campaigns where RCB barely scraped through, this year’s team finished in the top two, giving them two chances to reach the final. They will now face a PBKS side that has impressed everyone by topping the league stage with 19 points in 14 games. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have not only made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 but have also played with a refreshing consistency and aggressive intent.
RCB and PBKS shared their two league-stage encounters, with Bengaluru emerging victorious in their most recent clash — also held in Mullanpur. While that win might provide a slight psychological edge, it guarantees nothing in a high-pressure knockout match. To secure a spot in what would be their fourth IPL final, RCB must execute three critical strategies effectively.
1. Virat Kohli Must Lead From the Front
Virat Kohli has been the backbone of RCB’s 2025 campaign, delivering one of his finest IPL seasons. The veteran batter has amassed 602 runs at an average of over 60 and a strike rate close to 148. Most notably, he has scored eight half-centuries — all in RCB victories.
The numbers tell a clear story. In RCB’s nine wins this season, Kohli has averaged a staggering 88.16. However, in their four losses, his average drops to just 18.25. It’s evident that RCB’s fate is closely tied to Kohli’s performance at the top. If he gets going, especially in the powerplay, the team often ends up on the winning side.
Heading into the Qualifier, Kohli’s experience, form, and hunger for a maiden IPL title will be crucial. A solid knock from him could set the tone for RCB to dominate.
2. Neutralizing Arshdeep Singh’s Early Threat
PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh has been a key weapon this season, picking up 18 wickets in 14 matches. His ability to strike early and break opening partnerships has made him a consistent threat, especially against RCB’s top order.
In their first league meeting, Arshdeep dismissed both Kohli and Phil Salt early, leading to a dramatic RCB collapse. In the second match, although he removed Salt again, Kohli stayed firm and guided the team to victory. RCB must now find a way to play out Arshdeep’s early spell without losing crucial wickets.
With Marco Jansen unavailable and Yuzvendra Chahal’s fitness uncertain, PBKS lack depth in their bowling attack. If RCB can deny Arshdeep wickets in the powerplay, they’ll likely face less pressure during the middle overs, where the spin duo of Harpreet Brar and potentially Chahal could come into play.
3. Attack with the Ball, Don’t Just Contain
While many teams adopt a conservative approach with the ball in T20s, RCB must flip the script against PBKS. Shreyas Iyer’s team features a batting lineup that is both deep and dangerous, with multiple players striking above 140 and some even touching 150. The likes of Liam Livingstone, Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Marcus Stoinis form a formidable core.
The strategy for RCB should be simple — go for wickets at all times. Even if it means conceding a few extra runs, picking regular wickets is the only way to disrupt PBKS’s rhythm. Their bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, needs to fire upfront and dismantle the top order early.
Conclusion
RCB have the form, belief, and experience to go all the way in IPL 2025. But to get past PBKS and secure a place in the final, they must execute their game plan to perfection. With Kohli’s bat, a disciplined approach against Arshdeep, and an aggressive mindset with the ball, RCB can take a huge step toward finally ending their long wait for an IPL crown.
