Anushka Sharma Laughs, Virat Kohli Roars as Punjab Kings Crumble in IPL 2025 Qualifier
In a dramatic turn of events at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered a catastrophic batting collapse, being bundled out for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025. This marked PBKS’s first playoff appearance since 2014, but it turned into a night to forget as RCB’s bowlers tore through their lineup with surgical precision.
The pitch, known for its unpredictable bounce and assistance to bowlers, proved a graveyard for Punjab’s aggressive batting strategy. Opting to attack from the first ball, PBKS’s gamble backfired spectacularly. RCB’s pace battery, led by Josh Hazlewood (3/21), alongside Yash Dayal (2/26) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/17), dismantled the top order, while leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (3/17) spun a web around the middle and lower order with his deceptive googlies.
The collapse began early with in-form opener Priyansh Arya miscuing a cover drive off Dayal in the second over. Prabhsimran Singh, who showed brief intent with 18 off 10 balls including two crisp boundaries, edged a delivery from Bhuvneshwar soon after. Skipper Shreyas Iyer, the linchpin of PBKS’s campaign this season, fell to a reckless slog off Hazlewood, while Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis perished to a well-directed short ball from the same bowler.
As wickets tumbled, PBKS’s middle order seemed gripped by panic. Marcus Stoinis fought briefly with a 17-ball 26, but even he couldn’t resist the temptation of a slog sweep against Suyash, holing out to deep midwicket. Shashank Singh and debutant Musheer Khan followed suit, falling to similar ambitious shots against the turning ball. The tail offered no resistance, leaving Punjab shell-shocked and their fans in dismay.
Amid the carnage, RCB’s talisman Virat Kohli was a livewire on the field, celebrating each wicket with unrestrained passion—fist pumps, roars, and animated gestures that electrified the stadium. Watching from the stands, his wife Anushka Sharma couldn’t hold back her laughter, seemingly amused by both Punjab’s hapless display and Kohli’s boundless energy. A viral video of her reaction has already taken social media by storm, with fans dubbing it the ‘highlight of the match’ off the field.
Despite the humiliation, there might be a glimmer of hope for PBKS. In the league stage, they successfully defended a modest 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders at this very venue, exploiting the tricky pitch conditions with disciplined bowling. With their backs against the wall, Punjab will need the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada to replicate that magic if they are to stage a comeback in the second innings of this Qualifier.
For RCB, this dominant performance reinforces their status as title contenders. With Kohli in sublime form this season—having already crossed 600 runs in IPL 2025—and a bowling unit firing on all cylinders, they are halfway to securing a spot in the final. But as cricket often reminds us, no lead is safe in the unpredictable world of T20. Can Punjab Kings pull off a miracle, or will RCB march on? The answer lies in the thrilling hours ahead.