Today, Thursday, the first qualifier match will be played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The winner of this crucial match will secure a direct berth in the final, making this clash a high-stakes encounter.
This season of the IPL has been nothing short of dramatic, filled with surprising twists and turnarounds. The Mumbai Indians, who languished at the bottom of the points table in the early stages, made a strong comeback to finish in the top four. Gujarat Titans, who maintained the top position for most of the league stage, ultimately ended up in third place. In a stunning development, Royal Challengers—who had never won an IPL title—finished second and are now just one step away from their first final.
Punjab Kings have been the standout team this season, consistently delivering strong performances and finishing at the top of the points table. Their momentum and form make them formidable opponents in today’s qualifier.
Here’s how the playoff structure unfolds:
Qualifier 1 (Today): Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The winner goes straight to the final.
Eliminator (Tomorrow): Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians. The loser is knocked out of the tournament.
Qualifier 2: The winner of the Eliminator will face the loser of Qualifier 1 for a place in the final.
Final (Sunday): The winner of Qualifier 1 vs the winner of Qualifier 2.
With both teams hungry for their maiden IPL title, today’s match promises to be an intense and thrilling contest. All eyes will be on the field as the first finalist of IPL 2025 is decided.