Punjab Kings (PBKS) is all set to lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first Qualifier of IPL 2025 on Thursday at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. Both teams are entering the playoffs in red-hot form, having finished the league stage with 21 points each with PBKS edging RCB to the top spot thanks to a superior net run rate.
What happens if PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 gets washed out?
There seems to be no rain threat for the match but if showers do arrive, there is no reserve day scheduled for Qualifier 1. Punjab Kings will automatically qualify for the final as the No 1 ranked team at the end of the league stage. RCB, meanwhile, won’t be eliminated but they’ll face the winner of the Eliminator (Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans) in Qualifier 2 for one last shot at making the final.
Massive Advantage for PBKS
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy will face its biggest test yet when table-toppers PBKS take on second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 on Thursday.
PBKS are in the IPL playoffs for the first time since 2014. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, the franchise has turned a corner this season, combining star power with consistency and tactical discipline.
RCB, familiar with playoff heartbreaks over the years, are desperate to end their title drought and know that even if Thursday doesn't go their way
Both teams, having secured a top-two finish, will likely approach the game with aggression and freedom, knowing there's another lifeline. But as far as a washout scenario goes, it's advantage Punjab the table toppers could punch their ticket to the final without a ball being bowled.
