The IPL 2025 playoffs begin with Punjab Kings (PBKS) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. PBKS will be looking to make the most of their home-ground advantage and get through to their first IPL final since 2014. If one of the two teams loses today, the defeated team will head to Qualifier 2 and have another chance to reach the final.

Mullanpur Stadium Stats and Records

• Total Matches: 9
• Batting 1st Won: 5
• Batting 2nd Won: 4
• Highest Total: 219/6 by Punjab Kings vs. Chennai Super Kings, 2025
• Lowest Total: 95 (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings)
• Highest Run-chase: 177/6 in 19.2 overs by Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals in 2024
• Lowest total defended: 182/9 by SRH vs PBKS in 2024
• Average 1st Innings Score: 180
• Average 2nd Innings: 170

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 - A Head to Head breakdown

Weather and Pitch Report

On May 29, 2025, the weather in Chandigarh is hot (28 to 32 degrees C, 40-50% humidity), with no rain predicted. Dew may help out the chasing side in the second innings, allowing the ball to skid and making gripping the ball difficult for bowlers. The Mullanpur pitch has a balanced surface and lends to batting in the first innings, but it will aid spinners as the match progresses because of its dry nature. Teams have, therefore, opted to bat first in order to set a competitive total, as is evident by the fact that of four matches played this season, three of them were won by the team batting first.

Match Preview

PBKS has entered Qualifier 1 with momentum, having won four of their last five matches, and after a dominating victory over Mumbai Indians in Match 69, they secured the top position in the standings. PBKS has been whacking away with their batters, led by explosive action from Shreyas Iyer and some uncapped talent in Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera, and scored above 200 in five matches this season, winning at a 71.43% rate in matches where they scored above 200. However, PBKS seemed to falter a little at times in the middle order, and Shreyas Iyer's 25 runs in four innings at Mullanpur could be a worry. Thankfully, either Arshdeep Singh or Yuzvendra Chahal leads a powerful bowling unit. although Marco Jansen has left for the World Test Championship Final, this may affect their pace unit, but probably expect Azmatullah Omarzai to step in. 

Also Read: RCB creates another record in IPL 2025 with unprecedented batting feat

RCB has four wins in the last five matches, coming in firing on all cylinders, bolstered by two explosive innings by Virat Kohli and Jitesh Sharma, as they smashed an explosive 85 off 33 against LSG. RCB's batting is very good, as Rajat Patidar, series captain, has multiple successful middle-order partnerships. Phil Salt has a new approach with the bat to give RCB aggressive starts. RCB's bowling, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar more recently in terms of death-over control, has been economical, conceding 7.85 runs per over in the middle overs. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma’s spin duo has complemented their pace attack, with Nuwan Thushara as a possible replacement. RCB’s perfect 7-0 away record this season adds confidence, but PBKS’s home strength poses a stern test.