The Indian Premier League 2025 has reached a fever pitch as the top two teams of the season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), face off today in the highly anticipated Qualifier 1 at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

This is no ordinary knockout. With a direct ticket to the final on the line, both teams have everything to play for, but only one will walk away smiling. The loser? They'll get one more shot in Qualifier 2, but nobody wants to take the long route to the trophy.

The Clash of the Titans

Punjab Kings, who topped the league table, have been one of the season’s most consistent sides, but they face a red-hot RCB outfit fresh off a thumping six-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants. That game saw Jitesh Sharma explode with a record-breaking unbeaten 85 off 33 balls—a blitz that dethroned none other than MS Dhoni from the fastest 50 record. RCB will also be banking on the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, who’s already notched up 602 runs this season, including eight crisp half-centuries.

Head-to-Head & Season Stats

The rivalry between PBKS and RCB is about as even as it gets. In their 35 IPL encounters, PBKS hold a narrow edge with 18 wins to RCB’s 17.

Rain on the Radar

There’s a twist in the tale — Mullanpur’s skies could open up. If rain washes out the game, PBKS will march into the final by virtue of their higher finish on the points table. There’s no reserve day scheduled for today’s match, making the weather as crucial as the toss.

What’s at Stake

A win today secures a place in the grand finale of IPL 2025. For the losing side, it’s back to the pressure cooker of Qualifier 2. The stakes are high, the players are pumped, and fans around the globe are bracing for fireworks.

Image courtesy: Official IPL Page