RCB has come a long way in the tournament, having won nine of their 14 group stage matches. On the other hand, Punjab has the same scenario in the league and has sealed playoffs berth for the first time in 11 seasons
Arshdeep Singh, Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Shreyas Iyer (Pic: X/@RCBTweets/@PunjabKingsIPL)
The IPL 2025 will enter the playoff stage starting Thursday, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 of the marquee event.
RCB has come a long way in the tournament, having won nine of their 14 group stage matches. On the other hand, Punjab has the same scenario in the league and has sealed playoffs berth for the first time in 11 seasons.
IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Top key battles to watch out for
Yuzvendra Chahal vs Virat Kohli
The battle between PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and RCB stalwart Virat Kohli will be one to watch, especially considering their shared history in the Bengaluru camp during Chahal’s previous stint with the franchise. Among the many nicknames given to India’s most loved cricketers, Chahal has often been referred to as 'Chatur Chahal' by cricket pundits for his clever spin tactics. The 34-year-old is known for his guile and variation. On the other hand, Kohli appears to be recapturing the form of his prime years. However, his relative vulnerability against spin in recent times could be a concern for RCB in tonight’s high-stakes match.
Arshdeep Singh vs Phil Salt
Arshdeep Singh has gradually begun carving out a name for himself as a dependable white-ball bowler. His duel with the explosive Phil Salt could be fascinating. Arshdeep may look to unsettle Salt with sharp inswingers early on. Salt, known for his aggressive batting especially in the powerplay, could fall into a trap if he misjudges one of Arshdeep’s deceptive deliveries in his attempt to attack every ball.
Krunal Pandya vs Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has enjoyed a solid season for Punjab, amassing 514 runs, but has occasionally looked uncomfortable against quality spin. He has previously struggled against bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Riyan Parag, and Digvesh Rathi. This sets up an intriguing contest with Krunal Pandya, who has been in fine form for RCB. Krunal has consistently delivered breakthroughs and will fancy his chances of dismissing Iyer, especially if he can apply pressure early in the middle overs.
Jitesh Sharma vs Punjab Kings' bowling lineup
Another intriguing battle will be between Jitesh Sharma and the Punjab Kings' bowling unit. The RCB batter has shown composure and resilience under pressure, delivering in key moments throughout IPL 2025. Having embraced the finisher’s role, Jitesh appears to have learned the craft from his mentor Dinesh Karthik, who previously excelled in that position for RCB. So far, Jitesh has displayed a fearless attitude and has been a consistent contributor in crunch situations.
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