The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) performed a performance for the ages while playing the first qualifier in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a gap of nine years against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh on Thursday (May 29).

After Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first, RCB's pacers wreaked havoc as PBKS lost four wickets in the powerplay. The Shreyas Iyer-led side were bowled out for 101 as Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma took three wickets each. Only three players for Punjab crossed double digits, with Marcus Stoinis top-scoring with a knock of 26.

PBKS' total of 101 in the lowest in the first innings of an IPL playoff game since 2010. Infact, the only instance of a team scoring lower was Deccan Chargers against RCB in the third-place clash. This was the only instance of two teams playing a match to decide third and fourth place in the IPL. Hence, this is the lowest total (in first innings) in a playoff match since the introduction of the playoff system in 2011, as well as in a match with the team actually having the chance to progress in the tournament.

PBKS' total is also the overall joint third-lowest in a playoff game alongside LSG (vs MI in 2023) and only behind Delhi Daredevils (87 vs RR in 2008).

They are also the sixth team to be bowled out while batting first in a playoff match. This is the third occasion on which this has happened against RCB

Team	Score	Opponent	Match	Year
Deccan Chargers	82	RCB	3rd Place Playoff	201
Punjab Kings	101	RCB	First Qualifier	2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad	113	KKR	Final	2024
Kolkata Knight Riders	107	MI	Second Qualifier	2017
Gujarat Lions	158	RCB	First Qualifier	2016
Sunrisers Hyderabad	159	KKR	First Qualifier	2024

Meanwhile, RCB have become the first team to bowl out a team in less than 15 overs in an IPL playoff match. PBKS' played only 14.1 overs, which is the shortest all-out innings in an IPL match, breaking a record set by Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Delhi Daredevils (DD) in the first semi-final of the inaugural season in 2008.

Meanwhile, the shortest all-out first innings total was by SRH (18.3) in the 2024 IPL final against KKR.

Team	Opponent	Overs	Score	Match	Year
PBKS	RCB	14.1	101	First Qualifier	2025
DD	RR	16.3	87	Semi-Final	2008
DD	CSK	16.5	135	Second Qualifier	2012
MI	GT	18.2	171	Second Qualifier	2023
SRH	KKR	18.3	113	Final	2024

RCB have also become the first team to chase down a total within 10 overs in an IPL playoff match of a full 20-over game. The record for the quickest chase in the knockout game was held by KKR, who chased down a total of 10.3 overs in last year's final against SRH. While KKR also chased down a total in 5.3 overs against SRH in 2017 (eliminator) but the game was reduced to a six-over match due to rain.

RCB have reached the IPL final after nine years as they are one step away from lifting the title for the first time. PBKS will have another chance to reach the final and will play the second qualifier against the winner of the match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI).

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket, IPL 2025, IPL Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap and around the world.