During his time as a commentator, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was incensed as Punjab Kings’ batting collapsed like a deck of cards. He described the pathetic performance when “unbelievable” and “suicidal,” as PBKS missed a fantastic opportunity to go straight to the IPL 2025 finals

Notwithstanding setbacks, Punjab’s determination to attack from ball one came back to haunt them, as Gavaskar was not pleased with the manner his batsmen gave up wickets to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers.

Marcus Stoinis scored the best of the innings with a 17-ball 26 as Punjab was bowled out for a pitiful 101.

“This is not possible. Doesn’t this constitute suicide? Gavaskar asked as Suyash Sharma removed Stoinis in the eleventh over, ending Punjab’s slim hopes of scoring a meaningful amount.

PBKS’s overly aggressive strategy failed that day, as Bengaluru bowled out the home team in the 15th over, skittling them out for a pitiful 101.

On Sunday, June 1, Punjab, who made it to the playoffs for the first time in more than ten years, will have another chance to make it to the final in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad.

Earlier, when Punjab was called in to bat, their all-out offensive tactic helped bring them to ruin. They played less than 15 overs throughout their innings. Before leg-spinner Suyash (3/17) made things worse for the opposition, the Bengaluru pace trio of Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17) and Yash Dayal (2/26) took advantage of the circumstances.

When Dayal caught in-form opener Priyansh Arya at cover because he was unable to control his drive, Punjab began their precipitous decline. In the next over from Bhuvneshwar, he was followed back into the dugout by his fellow opener Prabhsimran Singh (18 off 10).

Prabhimsran attempted a third swipe after collecting two consecutive fours during the charge, but Bhuvneshwar pulled his length back to create the edge. On his third ball of the innings, captain Shreyas Iyer, who has been instrumental in the team’s success this season, attempted a spectacular smash off Hazlewood but was caught behind.

There was a panic in the dressing room as the famous Australian bowler then sent his countryman Josh Inglis off with a rising delivery that the latter was unable to handle.