IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Memes galore as RCB storms into finals after a thumping win over PBKS

In a breathtaking display of dominance, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the final of the IPL 2025 with a commanding eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1, held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The victory, sealed with a staggering 60 balls to spare, marked RCB’s return to the final after a long nine-year wait, setting off celebrations among their devoted fanbase.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB made full use of a pitch that offered pace and bounce. Their bowlers delivered a ruthless performance that dismantled PBKS’s batting order, skittling them out for a mere 101 runs in just 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma were the stars of the show, each claiming three wickets and choking the scoring rate with relentless precision. The duo was backed up brilliantly by a sharp fielding unit that executed run-outs and saved crucial boundaries, never allowing Punjab any room to recover.

PBKS’s innings never found stability, with no batter managing to withstand the disciplined RCB attack. Only a brief cameo from Prabhsimran Singh offered any resistance, but it was far from enough to challenge a side hungry for a spot in the final.

In response, RCB’s chase was as clinical as their bowling. Despite the early loss of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, Phil Salt took charge and dismantled PBKS’s bowling with sheer aggression. The English wicketkeeper-batsman smashed an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, showcasing his full range of strokes and maintaining the tempo throughout.

Skipper Rajat Patidar joined Salt in the middle after the fall of the second wicket and ensured there were no hiccups, scoring a fluent 15* off 8 balls to guide the team home. The ease with which RCB completed the chase reflected the gulf in class between the two sides on the night. RCB's emphatic win over Punjab Kings garnered hilarious memes on the internet.

PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Best hilarious memes from the match