No reserve date means PBKS will advance to the final if rain spoils the Mullanpur clash.
May 29, 2025: The IPL 2025 playoffs are underway, with Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set for Thursday in Mullanpur. Both teams secured 21 points from 14 league matches, but PBKS finished top thanks to a better net run rate.
No Reserve Day for Qualifier 1
There’s no reserve day for Qualifier 1 in case rain washes out the game. If the match cannot be played, PBKS will automatically advance to the final, as they topped the points table.
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RCB will then face the winner of the Eliminator match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) for the second finalist spot.
What It Means for the Teams
The top-two finish gives both PBKS and RCB an extra shot at making the final, reducing the pressure slightly. PBKS, under Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, have looked like a transformed unit this season. This marks their first playoff appearance since 2014.
RCB, meanwhile, are familiar with playoff heartbreaks and will be desperate to end their title drought. With the cushion of the top-two finish, expect both teams to play with freedom, knowing they’ll get another chance if they slip up in Qualifier 1.
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