Hazlewood CALLED IT! RCB DOMINATE PBKS to WIN IPL 2025 Final! 🎉

TATA IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 Press Conference. Following the Qualifier 1 match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium (New PCA Stadium) in New Chandigarh, Punjab Kings’ fast bowling coach James Hopes and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) pace bowler Josh Hazlewood addressed the media.

The match saw RCB dominate Punjab Kings (PBKS), bowling them out for 101 runs in 14.1 overs and chasing the target in just 10 overs to secure an eight-wicket victory, earning a direct entry into the IPL 2025 final.

The press conference provided insights into the teams’ performances, strategies, and reflections on the match, with both Hopes and Hazlewood offering their perspectives on the game and its implications.

James Hopes (Punjab Kings Fast Bowling Coach)
Report: James Hopes, addressing the media, expressed disappointment at Punjab Kings’ batting collapse, which saw them post the third-lowest total in IPL playoff history (101 runs).

He acknowledged the challenging conditions at the New PCA Stadium, noting the seam and bounce that RCB’s bowlers exploited effectively.

Hopes praised RCB’s disciplined bowling attack, particularly highlighting Josh Hazlewood’s return and his impact with figures of 3/21.

He admitted that PBKS’s aggressive batting approach backfired, with key players like Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, and Josh Inglis failing to adapt to the pitch.

Hopes emphasized the need for his team to regroup for Qualifier 2, expressing confidence in their bowling unit, led by Arshdeep Singh, to bounce back.

He also addressed the absence of Marco Jansen, who left for the World Test Championship final, stating that Azmatullah Omarzai’s inclusion was a strategic move, though it didn’t yield the desired results.

Hopes remained optimistic, noting that the team’s earlier success in the season showed their potential to recover.

Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowler)
Report: Josh Hazlewood, fresh off a stellar performance with 3/21 in Qualifier 1, spoke confidently about RCB’s clinical display.

He highlighted the team’s preparation for the New PCA Stadium’s conditions, crediting the bowling unit’s focus on hitting hard lengths to exploit the pitch’s seam and bounce.

Hazlewood, who returned from a shoulder injury, expressed relief at being back and contributing to RCB’s first IPL final appearance since 2016.

He praised teammates Yash Dayal (2/26) and Suyash Sharma (3/17) for their roles in dismantling PBKS’s batting lineup.

Hazlewood also addressed his pre-match comments about PBKS’s home advantage, noting that RCB’s familiarity with the venue from an earlier win helped them execute their plans.

Looking ahead to the final, he emphasized maintaining the same intensity and leveraging RCB’s balanced attack. Hazlewood also acknowledged the support of captain Rajat Patidar and the team’s momentum going into the June 3 final.

#ipl #royalchallengers #punjabkings #iplfinal #ipllive #iplstreaming #iplscores #rcbfans #pbks #pbksvsrcb #rcbvspbks #rcbcricket