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Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off on May 29 in Mullanpur, featuring table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). PBKS sealed their top-two spot on after a gunning down the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), with RCB joining them on May 27 after a stunning victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the final league game of IPL 2025.
Both teams finished the league stage with 21 points from 14 matches, but PBKS claimed the top position due to a superior net run rate.
What if rain plays spoilsport in PBKS vs RCB's Qualifier 1 clash?
But fans are scratching their heads thinking about what will happen if the Qualifier 1 clash between PBKS and RCB gets washed out. Notably, there's no reserve date for Qualifier 1 in case of rain. If inclement weather affects the match in Mullanpur, PBKS would automatically advance to the final because they topped the league standings ahead of RCB. In that scenario, RCB would then have to compete against the winner of the Eliminator match between MI and Gujarat Titans for a spot in the final.
According to Accuweather, there's no rain expected throughout the day for the Qualifier 1 match. Temperatures will hover around 32 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging from the high 30s to low 40s. Additionally, wind speeds are anticipated to reach up to 20 km/h, which should offer some much-needed relief and comfort to the players on the field.
With the safety net of a top-two finish, both teams are expected to play aggressively, holding nothing back. They know that even if they don't succeed in this initial playoff match, they'll still have another chance to reach the final. For the Punjab Kings, this marks their first playoff appearance since 2014, putting them in unfamiliar territory. Yet, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, they seem to be free from the burden of past disappointments.
RCB, on the other hand, are all too familiar with the heartbreak of knockout stages and, like every season, are hoping to finally end their long-standing title drought. Both teams acknowledge that for them, the job is only half done. The partnership between Iyer and Ponting has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Punjab Kings. They've finally unlocked the code to consistency after more than a decade of underperforming. This combination has successfully brought out the best in their players, transforming the team into a well-oiled machine.
Talking about their head-to-head record, RCB and PBKS have locked horns with each other in 35 matches so far in IPL. While RCB have clinched 17 wins, PBKS have emerged victorious in 18 matches.
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