Punjab Kings’ long-awaited return to the IPL playoffs ended in a nightmare at the Mullanpur Stadium on Thursday, as they were bundled out for a mere 101 in just 14.1 overs by a ruthless Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1.
It was PBKS’s first playoff appearance in 11 years, but the occasion turned sour as RCB’s bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, dismantled their batting order with surgical precision.
The total of 101 equalled the record for the lowest ever score in an IPL playoff, previously held solely by Lucknow Super Giants, who were all out for the same score in 16.3 overs against Mumbai 온라인카지노s in the 2023 Eliminator. However, PBKS’s collapse was swifter, completed in just 85 balls — the shortest innings ever in an IPL playoff match.
This total is the third lowest in any post-league stage match in IPL history. The dubious record still belongs to Deccan Chargers, who managed only 82 against RCB in the 2010 third-place playoff, followed by Delhi Daredevils’ 87 in the 2008 semi-final.
Punjab’s top order never settled. Yash Dayal struck early, dismissing Priyansh Arya for seven, before Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent back the in-form Prabhsimran Singh for 18. Hazlewood’s back-to-back blows removed captain Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis, reducing PBKS to 35/4 by the sixth over.
Dayal returned to clean up Nehal Wadhera, and from there, it was Suyash Sharma’s turn to inflict damage. The leg-spinner picked up Shashank Singh and debutant Musheer Khan in quick succession to leave PBKS reeling.
