MULLANPUR (Punjab): Fiery powerplay spells from Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood tormented Punjab Kings (PBKS) at their home territory, knocking them over for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs in the qualifier one clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Mullanpur on Thursday.
Within the powerplay itself, PBKS sunk to 48/4. Marcus Stoinis (26 in 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes) was the only one to cross the 20-run mark for PBKS. Spinner Suyash Sharma also took brilliant three wickets which destroyed PBKS’ middle-order.
After electing to bowl first, RCB was off to a dream start. Pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood was breathing fire in the powerplay. In the second over, a fine catch at covers by Krunal Pandya removed Priyansh Arya for a five-ball seven, giving Yash the first wicket. PBKS was 9/1 in 1.2 overs.
All of us right now. ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/jpgV8XQUvd
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 29, 2025
Despite this early setback, Prabhsimran kept his attacking intent on, smashing Yash and Bhuvneshwar for some boundaries. However, he edged a delivery to wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, for 18 in just 10 balls, with two fours and a six. Bhuvneshwar got his first wicket. PBKS was 27/2 in three overs.
Josh Hazlewood marked his return to action from injury with a bang, getting the big wicket of skipper Shreyas Iyer for just two in three balls, with yet another feathered edge landing into Jitesh’s hands. Josh Inglis, in the battle of Aussies, succumbed to Hazlewood for just four in seven balls, with Bhuvneshwar taking the catch. PBKS was 38/4 in 5.1 overs.
At the end of six overs, PBKS was 48/4 in six overs, Marcus Stoinis (10*) and Nehal Wadhera (8*) unbeaten. Nehal did not last long either as the ball got the thick edge of his bat and crashed into his leg stump, giving Yash another wicket. PBKS was 50/5 in 6.3 overs.
Fire. 🔥
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 29, 2025
The hosts’ slump worsened as in the eighth over, spinner Suyash Sharma cleaned up Shashank Singh (3) and Impact Sub Musheer Khan (0) for single-digits, sinking them to 60/7 in 8.5 overs. At the end of 10 overs, PBKS was 71/7, with Stoinis (26*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (2*) unbeaten.
PBKS’ bid to score even 100 runs was under danger as a brilliant delivery from Suyash cleaned up Stoinis for 26 in 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes. PBKS was 78/8 in 10.3 overs. Harpreet Brar and Omarzai tried to put together a partnership, but Romario Shepherd cleaned Brar up for four, reducing PBKS to 97/9 in 13.3 overs. PBKS reached the 100-run mark in 13.5 overs.
Omarzai was the last one to go, edging the ball to Jitesh, who took a brilliant catch to give Hazlewood his third wicket. PBKS was all out for 101 in 14.1 overs. Suyash (3/17) and Hazlewood (3/21) were the leading bowlers for RCB, with Yash getting 2/26 in four overs. Bhuvneshwar and Romario got a wicket each. (ANI)
