Page 15 - Royal Challengers Bengaluru

AB de Villiers backs Virat Kohli to play big hand in IPL 2025 final for RCB

South African batting great AB de Villiers is backing "ultimate team man" Virat Kohli to play a big hand in the IPL final and lead a multi-dimensional Royal Challengers Bengaluru outfit to its maiden title in the world's biggest T20 league. Chasing a paltry 102, RCB crushed Punjab Kings by eight wickets in the first qualifier here on Thursday to storm into the final of the 2025 edition of the league. One of their biggest performers this season, Kohli (12) missed out with the bat in the one-sided game, but his former RCB teammate De Villiers is confident the Indian superstar would fire in the title clash in Ahmedabad on June 3. "The first time I saw him on the screen for PBKS vs RCB game, was when he got out of the bus, and I just saw a lot of focus in that guy. That's the typical kind of body language we're so used to seeing. "And what I love most about this is -- he didn't score runs today, but we still saw him right till the end, celebrating with the batters," De Villiers told ..

No better place than out in the middle: Hazlewood on IPL stint for RCB

Josh Hazlewood's return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru after an injury break is a blessing for the franchise and good preparation for the Australian pacer, who says the intensity he is building up here will come in handy during the World Test Championship final against South Africa next month. Having recovered from a shoulder injury, Hazlewood played in the IPL after a month but showed no signs of rust, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru reach their first final since 2016 with an eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings. The performance was also a tick mark for his preparations ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa beginning at Lord's on June 11. "...I've got to be bowling, you know wherever I am in the world, I've got to be bowling getting ready for that game (WTC final) anyway," said Hazlewood after featuring in his first IPL game since April 27. "There's no better place than I think out in the middle, obviously you've got to bowl more, more hours of training

PBKS vs RCB HIGHLIGHTS IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Salt, bowlers power RCB to their fourth IPL final

IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 LIVE Updates: Both PBKS and MI will be looking to take their maiden title hunt to the final with a win today

IPL 2025: Virat Kohli and RCB to play 4th IPL final after nine years

Since the introduction of the current playoffs format in 2011, the winner of Qualifier 1 has gone on to claim the IPL title in 11 out of 14 seasons-including each of the last seven editions

What is RCB's lowest score in IPL? Lowest defending total in Mullanpur

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) lowest score in IPL history is 49. Punjab Kings defended 111-run target in IPL 2025 at new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur

IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 live streaming: Where to watch RCB vs PBKS match today

Check all the details related to the streaming and broadcast of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match between the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore here

Chandigarh weather: Is there a reserve day for RCB vs PBKS Qualifier 1?

In the event of rain disrupting the match, the IPL has provisions in place. For playoff matches, including Qualifier 1, there is an additional 120 minutes (two hours) available to complete the match

IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB pitch report, Mullanpur stadium stats

Key stats at new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur (In T20s since 2023) - Mat: 16, Bat 1st Won: 10, Bat 2nd Won: 6, Av 1st Inns Score: 173/6, Lowest Total Defended: 111, Highest successful run chase: 175

IPL 2025 today's match: PBKS vs RCB Playing 11, key matchups in Qualifier 1

Check out the players' match-up ahead of the PBKS vs RCB match here. The players' battle stats will help you create Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru fantasy playing 11 based on facts

IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: RCB vs PBKS Playing 11, live toss time, streaming

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will square off in Qualifier 1, each aiming to end a long wait for their maiden IPL title.

IPL 2025: Can RCB turn second-place finish into their first-ever title win?

Only once has a third-placed team won the IPL under the playoff system. Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved this feat in 2016

Tom Moody calls Jitesh's innings vs LSG the highlight of IPL 2025 so far

Jitesh Sharma's extraordinary knock against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday was easily the innings of the season 2025 by a stretch, gushed former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody. Stand-in skipper Jitesh pulled off a stunning 33-ball unbeaten 85 that carried his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the IPL Qualifier 1. When Jitesh arrived at the crease at the fall of Virat Kohli, RCB still needed 105 off 52 balls in a daunting chase of 228. Before Tuesday, Jitesh had not hit a half-century in IPL and when he did, he did it in style and produced a knock which will be talked about for time to come. Swinging like a pro, he sent the ball soaring over the ropes six times apart from hitting eight boundaries during his stay. "The innings is, for me, the innings of the IPL this season by a stretch. We've seen some great knocks from young and old, but this one, wow, quite remarkable," Moody told Cricinfo. "The team was totally against it backs against the wall, Kohli in the sheds, (Phil) S

IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 schedule: Teams, live match time, streaming, telecast

Mullanpur Stadium in Chandigarh will host the Qualifier 1 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 29

IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant takes back Mankad appeal by Digvesh Rathi vs RCB

Although Digvesh did break the stumps while Jitesh was out of his crease, it was Pant who chose to withdraw the appeal just in time, before the third umpire could confirm the dismissal.

LSG vs RCB HIGHLIGHTS IPL 2025: RCB qualify to the top 2; beat LSG by 6 wickets in Lucknow

While RCB will be chasing a strategic spot in the playoffs, LSG will be determined to end their season on a high. A win for LSG would likely see them finish sixth on the points table.

IPL 2025 points table: MI, PBKS, RCB, GT rankings; Top batters and bowlers

Check all the key stats for IPL 2025 including top batter and top bowler stats here

IPL 2025 Playoffs teams, schedule, venues, live streaming & telecast

IPL 2025 playoffs will begin on May 29 with Qualifier 1 followed by Eliminator (May 30) and Qualifier 2 (June 1). The IPL 2025 final between winner of both Qualifiers will take place on June 3

Highest successful run chase at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow in IPL history

RCB chased down 228 against LSG at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow to make it to the top 2 this season.

Good news for India! Pant back in form with 54-ball ton ahead of ENG tour

Pant reached his hundred within 54 deliveries which started off slowly and picked up fierce pace as the partnership with Marsh started to build up on the night.

Kohli surpasses Warner to become player with most half-centuries in IPL

Kohli also hold most centuries record in IPL history with 8 hundreds to hs name