Punjab Kings (PBKS) were bowled out for just 101 — a total that felt far too low, especially for Qualifier 1 — against an in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Still, some fans held on to the memory of PBKS defending 111 runs at the same venue against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), winning that game by 16 runs.

However, things were different this time. KKR had released Philip Salt ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, and he has since become a game-changer for RCB. Continuing his blazing form, Salt smashed 50 off just 23 balls in Qualifier 1, including 5 fours and 3 sixes, helping RCB win by 8 wickets in 10 overs (with 60 balls remaining).

Phil Salt doing what he does best 💥

He delivers a big knock in a crucial clash with a 23-ball 5⃣0⃣* 💪

Updates ▶ https://t.co/FhocIrgBRT#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRCB | #Qualifier1 | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/4GvcHd7jRb

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2025

With this RCB go straight into the final of the IPL 2025 while PBKS now wait for the winner of Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) to get another shot to reach the final. The Bengaluru franchise have reached the IPL final for the fourth time, having previously made it in 2009, 2011, and 2016. 

History also leans in their favour — since the current playoff format began in 2011, the Qualifier 1 winner has gone on to win the title in 11 of 14 seasons, including a dominant streak from 2018 to 2024

Say Hello to the first 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 of #TATAIPL 2025 ❤#RCB fans, how elated are you? 🤩

Updates ▶ https://t.co/FhocIrg42l#PBKSvRCB | #Qualifier1 | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/gmnjZsFWxF

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2025

Many took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to congratulate RCB for making it to the final of IPL 2025 while also speaking about PBKS' batting unit.

One said, "Philip Salt proved to be a profitable investment for RCB. This is one hell of a knock."

Philip Salt proved to be a profitable investment for RCB. This is one hell of a knock. #RCBvsPBKS

— Aditya (@Aditya82313733) May 29, 2025

Another said, "Yeah he fractured the chase well done Philip Dean Salt...So grateful to have you with us."

Yeah he fractured the chase well done Philip Dean Salt
So grateful to have you with us 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

— Kraken | Demolish Chinnaswamy 🙏🏻 (@krak3nnnnnn) May 29, 2025

One wrote, "Philip ne punjab ke jhakmo pr salt chidak di." (Translation: Philip rubbed salt into Punjab's wounds.)

Philip ne punjab ke jhakmo pr salt chidak di 😭

— 𝐾𝑢𝑠ℎ𝕏ᡣ𐭩 (@aryansingh2466) May 29, 2025

Another wrote, "Finally after long wait RCB  into the finals. One step away from trophy."

Finally after long wait Rcb into the finals 🥹❤️🥳.
One step away from 🏆#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/jzfaufqV9e

— S. (@vkf_133) May 29, 2025

One added, "Nobody Deserves IPL Trophy More Than Virat Kohli, Let This Be The Year God."

RCB INTO THE FINALS OF IPL 2025 🥶

Nobody Deserves IPL Trophy More Than Virat Kohli, Let This Be The Year God 🏆#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/yvjkLVAlz9

— Kriti Singh (@kritiitweets) May 29, 2025

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson
Impact Subs: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlet. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Impact Subs: Mayank Agarawal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh.