New Delhi: Former India captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back his frustration as Punjab Kings’ batting crumbled against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2025, describing their performance as both “unbelievable” and “suicidal.”
Punjab Kings’ aggressive approach from the start backfired dramatically, resulting in a shocking total of just 101 runs. Marcus Stoinis top-scored with a quickfire 26 off 17 balls, but the rest of the lineup faltered, gifting wickets to RCB bowlers at regular intervals.
“This is unbelievable. This is committing suicide, isn’t it?” Gavaskar remarked as Stoinis fell to Suyash Sharma in the 11th over, leaving Punjab with little chance to recover.
The home side’s innings lasted barely 15 overs before being bowled out, handing Royal Challengers an easy victory. The RCB bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), and Yash Dayal (2/26), exploited the conditions expertly. Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma added further pressure, finishing with 3 wickets for 17 runs.
Punjab’s downfall began early when their in-form opener Priyansh Arya was caught at cover off Dayal after mistiming a drive. Prabhsimran Singh followed soon after, edging Bhuvneshwar Kumar behind the wickets after a promising start of 18 runs from 10 balls.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer, pivotal to Punjab’s strong season, attempted a risky shot off Hazlewood on just his third ball and was caught behind, adding to the team’s woes. Josh Inglis, another key batsman, was dismissed cheaply by a rising delivery from Hazlewood, further unsettling the innings.
Despite this crushing defeat, Punjab Kings still have a chance to reach the IPL finals. They will face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, scheduled for June 1 in Ahmedabad.
Gavaskar’s scathing remarks highlight the pressure on Punjab Kings to regroup quickly and sharpen their approach as the playoffs intensify.
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