The Indian Premier League 2025 is down to its final stretch. All 70 league stage matches have been played, and the playoffs are set to kick off on Thursday. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans have qualified for the playoffs. The first qualifier will feature a matchup between Bangalore and Punjab.
This matchup is a thrilling one, with the teams having a nearly even head-to-head record. Punjab has won 18 matches against Bangalore, while Bangalore has taken 17 victories. Their history suggests a closely contested match. The teams will face off at the Mohali stadium in Chandigarh, where the winner will earn a spot in the final.
The Mohali stadium is known for its challenging pitch, which tends to favor bowlers. The average first-innings score here is 173 runs, and in four matches this season, the team batting first has won three times. This trend might influence the team that wins the toss to choose to bat first.
Our match prediction meter indicates a tight contest, with Bangalore having a slight edge due to their seven consecutive away wins. They might just take the win again in Mohali. The predicted lineups for the teams include top players like Phil Salt, Tim Seifert, and Mayank Agarwal for Bangalore, while Punjab will feature Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Marcus Stoinis.
Key players to watch out for are Suyash Sharma for Bangalore and Arshdeep Singh for Punjab. With the stakes high and the teams evenly matched, this first qualifier is shaping up to be an exciting matchup.