By Kartikey Tripathi | Haridwar
It’s been just 18 hours since Jitesh Sharma played one of the most miraculous knocks in IPL history—an 85-run carnage off just 33 balls that did more than win a match. It rewrote destiny. With that blitzkrieg, Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted a comeback like no other, finishing in the Top 2 for the first time in 9 long years. The dream of lifting that elusive IPL trophy after 18 years of relentless hope, heartbreak, and hustle now seems closer than ever.
Jitesh’s innings was historic on multiple fronts. RCB became the first team in IPL history to win all their away games in a single season—7 out of 7. And for the first time in the franchise’s history, they chased down a mammoth total of 228 runs. The celebrations were not just about a win, they were a release of bottled-up emotions of a fanbase that has remained the most loyal in world cricket.
Image- JITESH SHARMA
Now standing in their path to glory is Punjab Kings, the other surprise package of the season. PBKS, under the fresh leadership of Shreyas Iyer, have stormed into the top 2 after a long 11-year gap since 2014. Iyer’s captaincy has been the driving force behind a young, dynamic squad that has redefined PBKS’s brand of cricket this season.
And what makes this clash even more theatrical is the setting—Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The very ground where Virat Kohli had earlier this season defeated PBKS and let the emotions fly high with air punches and intense celebrations right in front of Shreyas Iyer and the home crowd. That gesture didn’t sit well with Iyer, who was seen walking up to Kohli post-match, seemingly unhappy with the aggressive send-off. The air between the two stars was thick with tension—a clear sign that they weren’t just playing for points anymore; this was personal.
Kohli- Iyer Brawl
As fate would have it, the two sides are now meeting again at the exact same venue in a Qualifier 1 that’s shaping up to be the most hyped knockout match in the 18 years of IPL history. RCB, the legacy franchise with global icon Virat Kohli, is up against PBKS, the Gen-Z powered unit with Shreyas Iyer—the poster boy of the new age. The contrast couldn’t be sharper. Kohli, with years of passion and pain etched into every chase, meets Iyer, the suave tactician and Gen-Z playmaker aiming to carve his own legacy.
The stakes have never been higher. Neither franchise has tasted IPL glory despite massive followings and years of potential. RCB brings the weight of expectations and the dreams of millions, while PBKS rides the new wave of youth, flair, and a long-awaited revival. This isn't just a game—it's a culmination of storylines, heartbreaks, personal duels, and destiny.
Dream On For Both Sides
Everything about this Qualifier 1 screams epic. The form, the narrative, the players, the venue, and above all, the history. RCB vs PBKS in IPL 2025 isn’t just a playoff—it’s poetry, written over 18 years, finally reaching its crescendo. The countdown to the most talked-about knockout in IPL history has begun.