IPL 2025: Former RCB player feels that the Qualifier 1 between PBKS and RCB will be humdinger of a game

Robin Uthappa, former Indian Cricketer and wicket-keeper batsman believes that the first qualifiers encounter between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which is slated to take place in New Chandigarh on Thursday, 29th of May, promises to be a thrilling and exciting one.

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He added that despite the Bangalore triumphing over Lucknow by a margin of six wickets, the Punjab-based side have the edge over the three-time runners up due to the fact that Shreyas Iyer & his men will have the home advantage on their side as the contest is set to play the contest at their home-ground, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium of New Chandigarh.

The team which finishes on a winning note in the first qualifier will get the direct ticket to the summit clash, to be held on the 3rd of June at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, while the losing-team will lock horns against the winners of the eliminator at the same stadium on the 1st of June. The Rajat Patidar-led side will have just a single day of break in-order to prepare for the first qualifiers as their victory over Lucknow happened on the night of Tuesday at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium.

"Both Bangalore and Punjab are riding high on momentum. This match promises to be a highly exciting one. Playing at home, Punjab could hold a slight advantage over their opponents. However, Bengaluru is definitely capable of putting up a strong fight. Based on their recent batting display, after this game? Absolutely, no doubt about it," Uthappa stated on JioHotstar.

The astounding six-wicket win of the Royal Challengers over the Lucknow SuperGiants, coming on the back of half-centuries from stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma and the legendary Virat Kohli, meant that their dream of lifitng the IPL trophy for the first time ever is still alive after ending the league stage at the second position in the overall-standings with ninteen points to their name. Punjab were the table-toppers due to having a much better Net-Run-Rate (NRR) than Bangalore.

Robin, who lifted the IPL trophy two times, once with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021 and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2014, feels that Virat will be exceptionally motivated to perform for RCB in the playoffs once more.

"Following this win against LSG, one player who will certainly rise to the occasion is Virat Kohli. He has another opportunity to advance to the latter stages of the tournament and strive to secure that IPL championship for RCB — a trophy he truly desires in his collection."

"Mayank Agarwal, Nuwan Thushara & Jitesh Sharma all three of them performed in an admirable way. Each player batted and bowled exceptionally well. They have earned their place among the top two. The confidence and determination they demonstrated were remarkable," he summed up.

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