June 4, 2025
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'Anushka, my mum, my brother …': Virat Kohli fights back tears in another emotional interview | Cricket News

‘Anushka, my mum, my brother …’: Virat Kohli fights back tears in another emotional interview | Cricket News

Danijones05 mins

Virat Kohli hugs Anushka Sharma after the win. (Pic credit: IPL) NEW DELHI: It was a night drenched in red and emotion as Virat Kohli finally achieved his long-cherished dream of lifting the Indian Premier League trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, ending an 18-year wait for both the franchise and its talisman. RCB held their nerve to defeat Punjab Kings by six runs in a tense final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, sealing their maiden IPL title.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kohli, who scored a pivotal 43 off 35 balls, was overwhelmed after the win — collapsing to the ground before being enveloped by jubilant teammates. In a stadium buzzing with over 91,000 fans, many chanting his name and wearing his iconic No. 18 jersey, the moment felt like destiny.Who’s that IPL player?But what followed off the field was just as powerful. In an emotional post-match interview, the 36-year-old batting legend opened up about the sacrifices behind the glory — especially the support from his family and wife Anushka Sharma.“I have not cried many times on the field, but this was very difficult to control,” Kohli admitted. “I know what I have gone through in the last 18 years. I have given my youth, my prime, and my experience to this team.” ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win Reflecting on the poetic symmetry of the moment, he added, “The total of today’s date is 18, the season is 18… Thank you God! Forever grateful for all the things that God has blessed me with — and this is absolutely right up there with anything else I have experienced.”The most heartfelt part of Kohli’s message was his tribute to Anushka and his family. “Anushka has been part of this journey for the past 11 years. She has seen the heartbreaks, the ups and downs, and my emotional swings. My mum, my brother, my coach — they’ve all seen it over the 18 years.”He continued, “Without the support, without Anushka keeping my perspective right, my family supporting me, my coach being there — none of this is possible. You have to be thankful for the support you get daily. I’m very grateful.” Poll How do you feel about RCB’s maiden IPL title victory? Kohli also spoke about his mindset and commitment to the game. “I’ve always wanted to do what is best for my team. Even after stepping down as captain, I told the management I’d support whoever they pick. My job is to score runs and win games.”“I’m not someone who wants to hang around just for the sake of it. I want to contribute, to improve, to field for 20 overs, and give everything. And to have another 600-plus run season makes me feel very happy.”

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RCB’s Man Friday: Krunal Pandya turns IPL final on its head | Cricket News

RCB’s Man Friday: Krunal Pandya turns IPL final on its head | Cricket News

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Krunal Pandya (IPL Photo) TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: With the bat, ball, or in the field, Krunal Pandya has always produced magic for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in this year’s IPL. Krunal was the engine on which the RCB team functioned throughout the season, and it was the 34-year-old who played a pivotal role in ending Bengaluru’s long 18-year wait.Krunal picked up the crucial wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis and gave away only 17 runs from his four-over quota. He was introduced after the powerplay and squeezed Punjab Kings’ run flow, bowling 12 dot balls — which proved to be gold dust for RCB in their quest for a first title.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The lone boundary Krunal conceded was the six Josh Inglis hit on the first ball of his third over, but he came back brilliantly in the next five balls, conceding just a single. He bowled flat, quick, and varied his pace to perfection, leaving the Punjab Kings’ batters at sea while facing him. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win Who’s that IPL player?“When we batted in the first innings, I was sitting outside and chatting with batters. I realised the slower you bowl, the better,” he said at the post-match presentation.“But in this format, as a bowler, you need guts to do that because the margin of error is small. I just backed myself and thought that if I’m able to vary my pace and keep it more on the slower side, I’ll create chances rather than just coming and firing it in.“What has been my biggest strength is learning what the situation requires. I’ve always backed my gut and instinct. Today also, I realised if I have to take a couple of wickets, I have to be brave. If you bowled quick on that surface, it would’ve been a good batting wicket. But if you varied your pace, there was some help.”Virat Kohli showered praise on Krunal and called his spell game-changing in the final.“Krunal Pandya’s spell will be remembered for a long time. He made the difference in this final.” Poll Which quality do you think makes Krunal Pandya a ‘big-match player’? Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting pointed out that it was Krunal’s spell where his team lost momentum.“Krunal Pandya did an exceptional job with the overs that he bowled,” Ponting told reporters after the match.“The game was starting to slip away around the 11th, 12th, and 13th overs, and the hole got too big,” he said while referring to Krunal’s fantastic spell.Not only Ponting, Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer also credited Krunal for his exceptional bowling performance.“They bowled brilliantly, especially Krunal. He carries a lot of experience; he has done it over a period of time. I believe that was the turning point,” said Shreyas. ‘Daring, Dynamic, Different’: Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss This was Krunal’s fourth IPL title, and he has played a significant role in winning two IPL finals.Interestingly, it was not the first time Krunal Pandya turned an IPL final on its head. In 2017, playing for Mumbai Indians against Rising Pune Supergiant, Krunal played an exceptional 38-ball 47 in a low-scoring final in Hyderabad. He now becomes the first player to win the Player of the Match award in two IPL finals.Krunal finished the season with 17 wickets and 109 runs. But those numbers don’t tell the full story of his contribution to RCB.Let’s jog down memory lane. On April 27 in New Delhi, the southpaw was struggling. He was going nowhere in his innings, Mitchell Starc was troubling him with searing pace, and Dushmantha Chameera then cracked him on the helmet with a short ball. Krunal had 25 off 28 and looked utterly stuck, with RCB needing 84 off 46.He hit 48 off his last 19 balls and steered his team to a comfortable six-wicket win with nine balls to spare.RCB head coach Andy Flower called him a big-match player this season.“Krunal is a big-match player and a great competitor,” he said at the press conference.Indeed, Krunal has been a warrior for RCB throughout this season and, in the truest sense, has been Bengaluru’s “Man Friday.”

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After IPL 2025 win, Krunal Pandya reveals telephone chat with brother Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

After IPL 2025 win, Krunal Pandya reveals telephone chat with brother Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

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Krunal Pandya (BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Krunal Pandya delivered a Player of the Match performance to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.Picked up by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Krunal brought out his full arsenal, refusing to let Punjab Kings gain control during their chase.His spell of 2 for 17, which included the crucial wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, proved to be a game-changer and played a key role in RCB’s six-run victory.Krunal later revealed that he had set his intentions clearly with the franchise during his very first conversation — he was there to win trophies — and he made good on that promise with a match-defining performance.“When we batted, we realised the slower you bowl, the better it is. In this format, you need guts to do it. I just backed myself and thought I’d vary my pace and keep it on the slower side more often. My biggest strength has been to learn what the situation requires. I knew I had to be brave to get wickets tonight. Thought I’d do that by bowling slow. If you’d have bowled quick, it’d have been a good wicket. But if you mixed it up, it was tougher. Pitch actually got easier in the second innings,” said Krunal while collecting the POTM trophy.“Have enjoyed my time with RCB so far. I told them on day one that I like to win trophies. I told Hardik too that the Pandya household will have nine trophies in 11 years,” he added. Krunal now has four IPL titles to his name — three with Mumbai Indians — and Tuesday’s performance marked the second time he has won the Player of the Match award in an IPL final. The first came in 2017, when he scored 47 off 38 balls to help Mumbai Indians defeat the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant.

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IPL 2025 finals RCB vs PBKS LIVE: Chance for Royal Challengers, Punjab Kings to set the record straight

IPL 2025 finals RCB vs PBKS LIVE: Chance for Royal Challengers, Punjab Kings to set the record straight

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RCB hope for strong Virat Kohli performance in IPL final, star batter has mixed record in title outings Former India skipper Virat Kohli has performed well many times in big games and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be hoping for a strong performance from him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday (June 3, 2025). The Rajat Patidar-led side and the Punjab-based franchise will lock horns against each other in the final of the 18th edition of the cash-rich league at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to end their title drought in the competition. If Virat lifts the IPL 2025 title with his team, he would have won all major white-ball cricket tournaments.  Earlier, he had won the Cricket World Cup (2011), T20 World Cup (2024), Champions Trophy (2013, 2025) and the U19 World Cup (2008). Virat has been RCB’s go-to man with the bat this season (IPL 2025), having accumulated 614 runs at an average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 146.53 this season.  Virat has so far featured in three IPL finals: 2009 (7 against now-defunct Deccan Chargers), 2011 (35 against Chennai Super Kings), and 2016 (54 against Sunrisers Hyderabad). Kohli has also played some T20I finals as well for India, where he has managed 77 (against Sri Lanka in the T20 WC 2014), 41* (against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2016), and 76 (T20 WC 2024).  The stalwart batter so far has seven T20 finals, where he has managed to score 301 runs at an average of 50.16 with the help of three half-centuries, with his best score of 77.In the 50-over format, the right-hand batter has played seven finals which include U19 WC 2008 (19 vs South Africa), Asia Cup 2010 (28 vs Sri Lanka), Cricket World Cup 2011 (35 vs Sri Lanka), Champions Trophy 2013 (43 vs England), Champions Trophy 2017 (5 vs Pakistan), Cricket World Cup 2023 (54 vs Australia), and Champions Trophy 2025 (1 vs New Zealand). In Tests, the 36-year-old player has featured in two World Test Championship finals in 2021 (44, 13) and 2023 (14, 49).  Across all formats, the right-hand batter has featured in 16 finals, where he has scored 606 runs at an average of 35.64 with four fifties and has a best score of 77.Kohli has played 14 white ball cricket finals so far, where he has scored 486 runs at an average of 37.38 with a highest score of 77. In the last five finals (CT 2025, T20 WC 2024, WC 2023, WTC 2021 and 2023), Kohli has scored just 251 runs in seven innings at an average of 35.85 with the help of two fifties. — ANI

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Vann Hiso010 mins

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​ Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings ​𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : June 03,Tuesday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST​​​𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 :​ Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : Indian Premier League 2025 RCB and Punjab Kings have played each other three times this season, with RCB winning two, including that first Qualifier. Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. RCB vs PBKS Match Prediction & Analysis The IPL 2025 season has delivered over two months of intense, action-packed cricket, and now only two teams are left standing. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will clash with Punjab Kings in the final showdown this Tuesday night in Ahmedabad. With both chasing their first-ever title, the stage is set for a fierce, edge-of-the-seat battle. This could easily go deep into the final overs, with both teams throwing everything they’ve got at the biggest game of the season. TEAMS PREVIEW Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview RCB have been on a roll all season and punched their way into the finals by steamrolling Punjab Kings in the Qualifier. After skittling them for 101, they hunted down the target in just 10 overs, dropping only two wickets in the process. That kind of dominance lifts team morale in a big way heading into the title clash. Both departments have pulled their weight. Virat Kohli has been the engine with the bat—614 runs from 15 innings, averaging 56 with a strike rate of 146.53. He’s chalked up eight half-centuries and looks primed for another big knock when it matters most. Phil Salt hasn’t piled on huge totals, but he sets the tempo early. His 56 off 27 in Qualifier 1 took the pressure off the chase right away, and this is exactly the kind of performance expected from him in the final. Skipper Rajat Patidar appears fully recovered and adds stability in the middle. He’s been good for 25-30 runs consistently and should deliver again. RCB have also found some solid backup performances. Mayank Agarawal has come through with useful knocks in the middle overs, while Jitesh Sharma exploded in the final group stage game against LSG, slamming 85* off 33 to pull off a massive chase. Late in the order, Romario Shepherd and Tim David bring the muscle for the death overs. The bowling lineup got a serious lift with Josh Hazlewood returning from injury in the first Qualifier. He wasted no time, taking 3 for 21 in 3.1 overs. He’ll be RCB’s go-to man with the ball in the final.  Alongside him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya bring calm and control. Even Yash Dayal and Suyash Sharma, often targeted by opponents, turned things around last match with five wickets between them. Punjab Kings Preview After being completely outplayed in Qualifier 1 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings came back strongly in the second Qualifier to take down Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets and enter their second-ever IPL final in history. It was captain Shreyas Iyer who led the charge once again with a blistering match-winning innings of 87* off 41, to help his team overhaul a target of 204 with ease.  That win would have rejuvenated Punjab and would have given them that extra push as they take on RCB in the finals. Punjab’s batting has been their strong point all season. Prabhsimran Singh (523 runs in 16 innings) and Priyansh Arya (451 runs in 16 innings) have consistently laid a good base at the top. Punjab will be banking on one of them to click again. Shreyas Iyer has kept the middle order together with a cool head, piling up 597 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 175. He’s stepped up at important moments, as he did in the second Qualifier, and will again be central if they want to put up a solid score in the final. Nehal Wadhera hasn’t had any big knocks, but his cameos—like the 48 off 29 in the previous match against MI—have helped in tight spots. Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis have chipped in as well. Stoinis has done his bit late in the innings, while Inglis has come in at number three or four and brought tempo. Whenever he has clicked, he has shown that if he stays at the crease for a few balls, he can shift the momentum completely. Weather Conditions The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch usually works well for T20s — batters tend to find it favorable, though pacers and those who vary their pace can also get some reward. As the game progresses, the pitch can slow down a bit, which makes it tougher to score freely later on. That said, it’s generally a good surface for building a total. Conditions in Ahmedabad are expected to be hot and dry, with no rain on the radar. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad usually offers batting-friendly conditions, with the first innings average sitting at 177. That said, the last three matches here saw teams batting first post over 200. Since this is the final, both sides will be looking at putting up a hefty total to give themselves some breathing room if the bowlers don’t hit their spots. A score in the 210-215 range will probably be the target for either team to feel they’ve set things up well. Toss: To Bat Out of the eight matches played in Ahmedabad during IPL 2025, six have gone in favor of the side batting first. This clearly shows that batting first is more beneficial at this venue. Moreover, considering it’s the final, and the pressure will be massive, opting to set a target rather than chase could be the smarter move.

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Watch: RJ Mahvash, Preity Zinta erupt in joy as Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Suryakumar Yadav | Cricket News

Watch: RJ Mahvash, Preity Zinta erupt in joy as Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Suryakumar Yadav | Cricket News

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Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates the dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav,(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) A huge roar erupted from the Punjab Kings’ dugout and stands as Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Among those celebrating were RJ Mahvash and franchise co-owner Preity Zinta, visibly ecstatic as PBKS struck a major blow in a high-pressure contest. Suryakumar, Mumbai Indians’ batting mainstay this season, looked in sublime touch once again before falling for 44 off 26 balls. He had earlier hit Chahal for two sixes in the match before the leg-spinner had the last laugh. With this dismissal, the Surya vs Chahal battle in IPL now reads: 13 innings, 88 balls, 116 runs, four dismissals at an average of 29 and a strike rate of 131.81. Not dominant, but not a walkover either. Coming into the match, Surya had already amassed 673 runs in 15 innings at an average of 67.30, striking at 167.83. His wicket tilted momentum slightly in PBKS’s favour as they looked to restrict MI to a chaseable total.Punjab Kings had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first under cloudy skies in Ahmedabad. The decision reaped early rewards as Rohit Sharma, fresh off a dazzling 80 in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans, was dismissed for just 8 (7) by Marcus Stoinis. Arshdeep Singh: The Poet Who Bowls Thunder | Stories from His Father & Coach Rohit’s cheap dismissal meant he now shares an unwanted record with Suresh Raina for the most single-digit scores (9) in IPL knockout matches.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Jonny Bairstow contributed a brisk 38 off 24 balls, while Tilak Varma anchored the innings with a composed 44 off 29. Despite these efforts, it was Suryakumar’s wicket that brought the loudest cheer from PBKS fans. With the scoreboard reading steady but not imposing, Mumbai now look towards captain Hardik Pandya and youngster Naman Dhir to provide the fireworks at the death and push the total past the par mark. The stakes couldn’t be higher than a spot in the IPL 2025 final against RCB hangs in the balance.

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IPL 2025: Arshdeep Singh reveals his IPL ambitions with PBKS | Cricket News

IPL 2025: Arshdeep Singh reveals his IPL ambitions with PBKS | Cricket News

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Arshdeep Singh (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh expressed his readiness for the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, where a victory would secure PBKS their second IPL final appearance. The winner of this knockout match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3, with Punjab Kings pursuing their maiden IPL title against five-time champions Mumbai Indians.Arshdeep, who leads his team’s bowling attack with 18 wickets in 15 matches this season, shared his approach to handling pressure situations during crucial moments of the game.“When I get a chance, whether the team is under pressure and we have to stop runs or take wickets, when they give me the ball, I feel good that they are showing trust in me. So, I enjoy the responsibility that I get, no matter what stage it is. And at that time, I try not to feel the pressure and enjoy the moment and bring good results for the team. It doesn’t happen on a few occasions, but I try not to let it affect me, and when I get a chance in the next match, I do my best and win matches for the team,” he told JioHotstar. IPL 2025 Winner Prediction: What Greenstone Lobo’s Astrology says The left-arm pacer reminisced about his memorable debut against Mumbai Indians and highlighted his best performance against them at Wankhede Stadium.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“When I made my debut for the first time. But the best match, what I feel, was against Mumbai Indians in Wankhede. MI were chasing some 220-odd runs, and I finished with four wickets, and we won the game. So, it’s very close to my heart,” he recalled.Arshdeep expressed his ambition to help Punjab Kings secure their first IPL title.“And in this season, I’m looking forward to helping Punjab win their first title in IPL and create a legacy for Punjab Kings in the coming years by doing well for them,” he added.

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Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Vann Hiso010 mins

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​ Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : June 01,Sunday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST​​​𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 :​ Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : Indian Premier League 2025 Jasprit Bumrah has been electric this season, and the four overs he bowls is likely to turn out to be a major factor in the second Qualifier. Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. PBKS vs MI Match Prediction & Analysis Just two matches stand between us and the IPL 2025 final, and it’s down to three teams with a shot at the trophy. Punjab Kings take on Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad this Sunday night. The winner will go on to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3, also at Ahmedabad. Both Punjab and Mumbai have hit top gear at different stages of the tournament, so this one’s set up to be a thriller that’s tough to call. TEAMS PREVIEW Punjab Kings Preview Mumbai Indians are through to Qualifier 2 after knocking out Gujarat Titans with a 20-run win in the Eliminator. They set the tone early, putting up 228-5 on a great batting track in Chandigarh, and then held Gujarat to 208-6 despite a few shaky moments along the way. The five-time champs have completely flipped their season around in the back half and head into the knockouts with serious momentum. Their batting is starting to look ominous. Rohit Sharma, who’s had a mixed season, stepped up big in the Eliminator with a quality 81 off 50 balls. Jonny Bairstow, brought in as Will Jacks’ replacement, wasted no time making an impact—blasting 47 off just 22 balls. That explosive start from Bairstow gave MI a huge lift, and he looks set for another quick cameo. The middle-order has turned into a real strength. Suryakumar Yadav is in outrageous form—673 runs from 15 innings, averaging over 67.30, and striking at 167.83. With numbers like that, it’s hard not to back him for another 30-plus score. The pace duo of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah gives MI a cutting edge. Boult was expensive in the Eliminator but is still a serious threat with the new ball and at the death. Bumrah, meanwhile, has been brilliant—18 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of just 6.36. His spell in the Eliminator broke Gujarat’s momentum when they were right in the chase. Beyond those two, though, the bowling doesn’t look as settled. Richard Gleeson didn’t quite deliver last match, apart from a couple of decent balls. Mumbai could look at swapping him out for Ashwani Kumar, who nailed his yorkers at the end against Gujarat. Deepak Chahar as an Impact Sub might also be a handy move—give him three overs and allow him to make some early inroads. Conditions in Ahmedabad might also bring Mitchell Santner into play, especially if there’s a bit of help for spin. Mumbai Indians Preview Punjab Kings were completely outplayed in Qualifier 1 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sent in to bat, they crumbled for just 101, and RCB chased it down in only 10 overs. That kind of defeat would have rattled any team, but Punjab now has a second chance to fix things in the next knockout match. Despite the collapse last time, their batting has been their strong point all season. Prabhsimran Singh (517 runs in 15 innings) and Priyansh Arya (431 runs in 15 innings) have consistently laid a good base at the top. Punjab will be banking on one of them to click again. Shreyas Iyer has kept the middle order together with a cool head, piling up 516 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 171. He’s stepped up when it matters and will again be central if they want to put up a solid score. Nehal Wadhera hasn’t had any huge knocks, but his cameos—striking at around 150—have helped in tight spots. Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis have chipped in as well. Stoinis has done his bit late in the innings, while Inglis has come in at number three or four and brought tempo. His 73 off 42 against Mumbai in the last league game was a standout—it shifted the momentum. Shashank Singh has added value too, holding his nerve and seeing them home in pressure moments. Their bowling hasn’t always been consistent, but there’s talent in there. Arshdeep Singh has been the standout, picking up 18 wickets in 15 matches and going at 8.62 per over. His ability to hit the right spots has helped. Weather Conditions The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch has delivered well for T20s — batters usually enjoy the conditions, but it also offers something for pacers and those who mix it up with slower balls. As the match progresses, the surface can lose some pace, making scoring a bit harder in the second half. Nonetheless, it remains a decent track for putting runs on the board. Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and dry, with no rain expected. PBKS vs MI Pitch Report The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tends to produce decent batting surfaces, with an average first innings total of 177. However, the last two games here have seen totals of 230 or more by the side batting first and winning comfortably. With this being a knockout clash, teams will want to put up something big on the board to have a buffer in case the bowling doesn’t go to plan. Both sides will likely aim for something in the 210-215 range to feel like they’re in control. Toss: To Bat Six of the seven matches played at Ahmedabad in IPL 2025 have been won by the team batting first. So, the message is clear – win the toss and bat first at this venue.

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How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals | Cricket News

How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals | Cricket News

Danijones03 mins

RCB players during their Qualifier 1 match against PBKS. (IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a decisive step towards ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title, securing a place in the 2025 final after a dominant eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. With the win, RCB not only advanced to their fourth IPL final — after previous runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 — but also positioned themselves on the statistically favourable path to championship glory.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the IPL’s current playoff format, introduced in 2011, teams finishing in the top two after the league stage get two chances to reach the final. And there’s a strong historical trend that favours the winner of Qualifier 1 – 11 of the 14 IPL titles since 2011 have been won by the team that advanced directly to the final through this route.Who’s that IPL player?Even more telling, all seven champions from 2018 to 2024 — including CSK (2018, 2021, 2023), MI (2019, 2020), GT (2022) and KKR (2024) — were winners of Qualifier 1. Poll Will RCB win their first IPL title in 2025? It’s a trend that puts RCB in an enviable position as they prepare for the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.Riding on Virat Kohli’s class and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, RCB have carried momentum and clarity into the playoffs. This extended break before the final gives them time to recover, strategise and sharpen their edge for the title bout. Josh Hazlewood – we picked up momentum from Jitesh’s knock in Lucknow Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, with the winner facing PBKS in Qualifier 2. Whoever emerges from that battle will meet a well-rested RCB, who now not only hold form but also history firmly in their favour. Is 2025 finally RCB’s year? All signs are promising.

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PBKS hope to reap home advantage despite Kohli in rival camp

PBKS hope to reap home advantage despite Kohli in rival camp

Danijones07 mins

Chandigarh: Like any other team in the Indian Premier League, Punjab Kings should be happy to be playing Qualifier 1 at home in Mullanpur. Local conditions do matter, and though PBKS have two wins and losses each in Mullanpur, the team management will be happy playing here. Punjab Kings, who will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, have reached the IPL playoffs after 11 years. (PTI) Unless of course the Virat Kohli factor comes into play and the Punjab fans come dressed in RCB shirts and cheer for Kohli. PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh is conscious of that possibility as he appealed to the Punjab fans to support the home team on Thursday. The PBKS-RCB game in Mullanpur last month saw spectators vocally supporting RCB and Virat. Some even jeered a few PBKS players and their families. PBKS have reached the playoffs after 11 years. They will be playing in Mullanpur after 38 days and would want a pitch with extra bounce which their tall fast bowlers can exploit. They have had a great momentum throughout the tournament with the Shreyas Iyer-Ricky Ponting partnership lifting a franchise that had struggled in the last decade. Ponting though says the job is only half done. Speaking to the broadcaster after Monday’s win over Mumbai Indians in the last league game, Ponting said, “We have not achieved anything yet” with the “big games” still to come. “A lot of hard work goes into being able to achieve something like this as a team. It is pretty obvious that this is a really talented team that are all on the same page. It’s a great achievement till now, but really, if you look back, we’ve not achieved anything yet. That’s the one thing I have been saying to the players since the moment we qualified.” Ponting and Shreyas renewed their partnership in PBKS this season having worked together in Delhi Capitals and it has clicked. “The vision for me was always to finish in the top two, and we have got there now. It is a really happy group and we have enjoyed our time in each other’s company for the last ten weeks, but we have got another week to go,” said Ponting with an eye on winning a maiden IPL trophy. This could be the best chance for PBKS considering their performances with domestic cricketers making a mark. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and rookie Priyansh Arya have laid the platform for Iyer and Josh Inglis to build on. Shashank Singh continues to improve as a finisher, while Marcus Stoinis and Nehal Wadhera too have provided batting depth. The bowling has been dealt a blow with the departure of South Africa fast bowler Marco Jansen – he took 16 wickets, complementing Arshdeep (18). Jansen has left for national duty with the Proteas playing Australia in the World Test Championship final from June 11. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed the last two games due to a finger injury, is expected to return and team up with the accurate Harpreet Brar. It was Chahal’s four-wicket haul which helped PBKS beat KKR in a low-scoring game in Mullanpur. However, Iyer’s captaincy has provided stability in the team, the India batter delivering after being bought for a whopping ₹26.75 crore. “If you speak to the players individually, Shreyas has spent a lot of time with them. He has pumped them up, given them a pat on the back when they needed it, and given them a kick in the pants when they’ve needed it as well. That is a sign of a good and strong leader,” Ponting said. PBKS has had 16 captains before Iyer took over, and they will hope the man who led KKR to last year’s title will repeat it with them. A defeat won’t be the end of the road. The losers will play in Qualifier 2, against the winner of the Eliminator. RCB come off an impressive final league win on Tuesday against Lucknow Super Giants with Jitesh Sharma finding his touch like the other batters after his brilliant, unbeaten 85 off 33 balls.

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