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In a night that will be etched into IPL folklore, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur into their personal hunting ground, bowling out Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a measly 101 runs in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. Leading the charge was 22-year-old leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who not only spun a web around PBKS but also ignited RCB fans with a bold promise: “We’ll celebrate on June 3rd, and we’ll celebrate hard!”
The Qualifier 1 clash was billed as a high-stakes thriller, but RCB’s bowlers had other plans. Switching to beast mode, they dismantled PBKS in just 14.1 overs—the fewest ever batted by a team in IPL playoff history. Josh Hazlewood’s fiery pace and Suyash Sharma’s spin wizardry claimed three wickets each, while Yash Dayal (2 wickets), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1 wicket), and Romario Shepherd (1 wicket) ensured no respite for the opposition.
Suyash was the standout, conceding just 17 runs in his three overs while sending Shashank Singh, Musheer Khan, and Marcus Stoinis back to the pavilion. PBKS’s total of 101 now sits as the joint third-lowest in IPL playoff history, alongside Lucknow Super Giants’ 101 against Mumbai Indians in 2023. For PBKS, it’s their fourth-lowest total ever—a stat RCB fans will savor.
Earning the Player of the Match award, Suyash spilled the secret to his success in a chat with Harsha Bhogle: “My coaches gave me just one role—hit the stumps, whether it’s a leg break, googly, flipper, or any variation.” His googly, a lethal stock ball, left PBKS batters bamboozled. “No one was able to read my googlies today,” he said with a smirk, crediting a bit of help from the wicket.
Mid-innings, he told broadcasters, “I just tried to execute the coach’s plan. We treated it like a normal match, not a semi-final. I’ve worked hard on my bowling, and it felt great today.” That focus and execution turned a pressure cooker of a game into a stroll for RCB.
When Bhogle asked how he’d celebrate the Qualifier 1 triumph, Suyash didn’t mince words. “Hum celebrate karenge on 3rd June aur bahut zor se celebrate karenge,” he declared—“We’ll celebrate on June 3rd, and very hard as well.” That’s the date of the IPL 2025 final, and Suyash’s confidence is a shot of adrenaline for RCB’s loyal supporters, who’ve waited years to see their team lift the elusive trophy.
With this win, RCB have stormed into the IPL 2025 final, their bowling unit firing on all cylinders at the perfect moment. Suyash Sharma, the young leggie with ice in his veins and fire in his deliveries, has become the heartbeat of this campaign. As they await their opponent from Qualifier 2, one thing is clear: RCB are on a mission, and Suyash is ready to lead the charge.
Will June 3rd finally be the day RCB fans erupt in joy? If Suyash has anything to say about it, the party’s already planned. What do you think—can RCB end their trophy drought?
