Punjab Kings’ top-order collapsed under pressure in a high-stakes IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, 28 May, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The table-toppers were rocked early, losing four wickets inside the powerplay—including that of captain Shreyas Iyer—after RCB won the toss and elected to field on a lively, seam-friendly pitch.

Playing their first Qualifier 1 since 2016, RCB came out fired up, stopping extra runs on the field and excuting their bowling plans to perfection, Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood shared four wickets between them, dismantling the Punjab top-order in brutal fashion.

PBKS were reduced to 59 for 5 at the end of eight overs of high-quality pace. | IPL Qualifier 1 PBKS vs RCB coverage |

From the stands, co-owner Preity Zinta—who had been a picture of joy through Punjab’s league-stage success—looked visibly distraught as wickets tumbled in rapid succession. The Bollywood actor’s concern deepened as skipper Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply for 2, leaving a young and inexperienced middle order to pick up the pieces.

RCB PACE TRIO LIGHTS UP MULLANPUR

The collapse began in the second over when breakout star Priyansh Arya chipped a length delivery straight to short cover, giving Yash Dayal the first breakthrough and igniting the RCB supporters at the venue.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar followed up in the very next over by removing the in-form Prabhsimran Singh, who had recently crossed the 500-run mark in an IPL season for the first time in his career.

Josh Hazlewood, making his return after a month-long injury layoff, then delivered a crucial blow by dismissing Shreyas Iyer in his very first over. Exploiting the extra bounce and pace off the surface, Hazlewood forced an edge from Iyer, with wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma taking a sharp catch.

Mullanpur has not been kind to the PBKS captain this season—he has scored just 25 runs in five innings at the venue.

Both Iyer and Prabhsimran were guilty of playing rash shots at a time when the team desperately needed stability. However, Punjab’s success throughout the season has been built on fearless cricket, often thriving by throwing caution to the wind.

More woes followed in the sixth over as Josh Inglis, the hero of their last league game with a match-winning fifty against Mumbai Indians, fell victim to a well-directed bouncer from Hazlewood.

The home crowd watched in disbelief as the top-order folded. Marcus Stoinis offered brief respite, cracking a couple of boundaries in the final over of the powerplay to take the total to 48 for 4.

But any hopes of a recovery were short-lived. Yash Dayal returned immediately after the powerplay and sent Nehal Wadhera back to the pavilion, reducing Punjab to 50 for 5 and plunging them into deeper trouble.

RCB’s stand-in captain Rajat Patidar was sharp with his tactics, entrusting his pacers with the first eight overs and extracting maximum value from a pitch offering early movement. It paid off handsomely, as the visitors completely bossed the opening exchanges, leaving Punjab reeling and the crowd stunned.