Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are all set to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025. The high-stakes clash will be played at Mullanpur, with both teams eyeing a place in the final and a chance to win their first IPL trophy.
RCB finished second on the points table with 19 points from 14 matches with nine wins, four losses, and one abandoned due to rain. Their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants was a do-or-die game.
A loss would have pushed them to third place and forced them into the Eliminator. However, RCB pulled off a successful 230-run chase, earning a spot in Qualifier 1 for the first time since 2016.
One of the biggest questions ahead of the playoff match is whether Josh Hazlewood will play. During the post-match chat in Lucknow, Jitesh Sharma shared a major update with fans, saying, “Hazlewood is fit.” This means the Australian fast bowler is available for selection and could return to RCB’s playing eleven.
If RCB decide not to play Hazlewood, they still have a strong backup in Nuwan Thushara. The Sri Lankan pacer bowled an impressive spell against Lucknow, finishing with 1 for 26 in 4 overs and building pressure in the powerplay.
Meanwhile, middle-order batter Tim David is unlikely to be part of the Qualifier 1. He suffered a hamstring injury during RCB’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and hasn’t recovered fully yet.
![[WATCH] Virat Kohli visits Hanumangarh Temple in Ayodhya with wife Anushka Sharma ahead of IPL Playoffs](https://i0.wp.com/media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1748157351783_vka.jpeg?w=380&resize=380,220&ssl=1 "[WATCH] Virat Kohli visits Hanumangarh Temple in Ayodhya with wife Anushka Sharma ahead of IPL Playoffs")
