Josh Hazlewood warns RCB of PBKS' home advantage in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, says 'They are a tough opposition and we are...'

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players are leaving no stone unturned to prepare best for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025's Qualifier 1 where they will face Punjab Kings (PBKS). Right before the crucial clash, RCB have been bolstered by their pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, who is coming into the fold after a gap of almost one month.

Josh Hazlewood on PBKS's home advantage in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1

RCB's superstar pacer had gone back to Australia earlier this month when IPL 2025 was briefly suspended due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Hazlewood was nursing a shoulder injury and only arrived back in India recently. So far this season, Hazlewood had to miss three games and his last appearance was on April 27 in Delhi.

Meanwhile, right ahead of the all-important clash Hazlewood has warned his own team of PBKS' home advantage. Notably, the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 will be played at PBKS' home ground, i.e Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, also known as New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. Hazlewood said that PBKS are a tough opposition and since they are playing at their home turf, they will be knowing the conditions well.

"Yes, it’s important to be in the two. I think in this format it helps to have two bites of the cherry. Someone goes off, and they win the game and all of a sudden you are out, after so long at the top. (Punjab Kings) is a tough opposition, and we are playing at their home ground which they have played quite a number of games in this season. So, they’ll know the conditions well," Hazlewood was heard saying in a video RCB shared on social media on May 29.

RCB has been a formidable team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, primarily due to their exceptional performance in away matches. They've remarkably won all seven of their away games, a feat unmatched by any other team with a similar number of away fixtures. This perfect away record has been a pivotal factor in securing their spot in the playoffs.

RCB's strong away form provided crucial breathing room, especially after they lost their first three home games. Their momentum and confidence were further boosted by a dramatic chase of 228 runs against the Lucknow Super Giants, which now stands as the third-highest successful run chase in IPL history.

Despite their impressive league stage performance, RCB have a modest record in the IPL playoffs. Since the format's introduction in 2011, they've won only 4 out of 10 playoff matches. Their playoff campaigns have largely been disappointing since their last final appearance in 2016 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In their last five playoff outings, RCB has faced four defeats. Their only victory in this period came in the 2022 Eliminator, where they defeated LSG by 14 runs. Interestingly, in all four of their recent playoff losses, RCB batted first, only to see their opponents comfortably chase down the targets.

Both PBKS and RCB are gunning for their maiden IPL title. Whoever emerge victorious in the Qualifier 1 will get a direct entry into the IPL 2025 finale which is slated to be played on June 3.