Evenly matched Punjab Kings and RCB fight for ticket to finale

Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, in Mullanpur, will be a clash of two teams that share a past and the present. To begin with, both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are searching for their maiden IPL title. In fact, this is the first time since 2014 that PBKS have made it to the playoffs.

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They had topped the league stage then also, before losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

While RCB have been a regular in the playoffs in the past few years, the last time they finished in the top two was in 2016. Just like PBKS in 2014, they went on to lose the final, to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

PBKS' success in IPL 2025 has revolved around their uncapped Indian players. While RCB have traditionally been the home of the game's biggest superstars, they have shed that persona this time. Their captain Rajat Patidar has four international caps to his name, their vice-captain Jitesh Sharma nine.

The similarities don't end just there. Both teams have key bowlers coming in after brief injury layoffs. Yuzvendra Chahal missed PBKS' last two games with a wrist issue but is expected to be fit for Thursday's game. Similarly, RCB are set to be bolstered by Josh Hazlewood's return after a shoulder rehab.

At the same time, both teams will be without an important player each. PBKS allrounder Marco Jansen has returned to South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, while RCB's Tim David is unlikely to be available due to the hamstring injury he picked up against SRH.