 "Punjab Kings take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, in New Chandigarh. Image: PTI")
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs start today (29 May, Thursday) with a high-octane clash between table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers (RCB) in Mullanpur. While PBKS finished at the top of the points table, RCB came second after beating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final match.
Follow live: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1, IPL 2025
Both PBKS and RCB finished with 19 points from 14 matches; however, Punjab came first due to a superior net run-rate. Now they clash in a match for a direct spot in the final . The losing team from Qualifier 1 will have another chance to reach the IPL 2025 final as it will take part in Qualifier 2.
The Qualifier 2 will be played between the losing team from Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator . Gujarat Titans (GT) face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator after the two teams finished third and fourth, respectively, in the IPL points table.
What happens if PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 is washed out?
But let’s come back to the Qualifier between PBKS and RCB. It does not have a reserve day, which means a winner has to be found today. What will happen if the rain spoils the plans in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, today?
If the match is washed out, then PBKS will qualify for the IPL 2025 final as they finished at the top of the points table and RCB will move to Qualifier 2.
Will it rain in Mullanpur today?
The Qualifier 1 in IPL 2025 will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The good news is that there’s no forecast for rain in the city. As per AccuWeather, the temperature in Mullanpur will be around 35°C at the start of the match and slowly dip to 28°C by the end.
Humidity levels are expected to range between 38% and 51% during the game. The sky will remain clear, with little to no chance of rain throughout the contest.
PBKS vs RCB pitch report
The pitch at Mullanpur Stadium provides a fair contest between bat and ball. In the first innings, the batters get good support for strokeplay and are assisted by a fast outfield, however, spinners become more prominent in the second innings. But due to dew, the team winning the toss is expected to bowl first.
The average first innings stands at 170 at the venue in IPL and only three times has a 200+ total been scored here.