Chandigarh, May 29 (UNI) Punjab Kings (PBKS) endured a stunning batting collapse in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, getting bowled out for just 101 in 14.1 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

This marks the shortest completed innings by any team in the history of the IPL playoffs, surpassing the previous low of 16.1 overs by Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals in the 2008 semi-final.

RCB’s bowlers were clinical and relentless, making early inroads and never allowing PBKS to settle. The Mullanpur surface offered bounce and carry, and Punjab batsmen struggled to cope with the discipline and intensity of the RCB attack. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the innings never gained momentum, and Punjab were bundled out before the 15-over mark.

This performance also sees PBKS join the list of lowest team totals in IPL playoff history. Their 101 equals the score posted by Lucknow Super Giants against Mumbai Indians in the 2023 Eliminator in Chennai. It also deepens Punjab’s batting woes in the IPL, having previously been dismissed for 73 against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, and for 88 on two occasions against RCB — in Bengaluru (2015) and Indore (2018). Earlier this season, they were bowled out for 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue.

While the target appears modest, history offers a note of caution — only once has a team successfully defended a total below 140 in an IPL playoff. That came in the 2017 final, when Mumbai Indians edged out Rising Pune Supergiant after posting 129 for 8 in a dramatic finish.

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