Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a dominant bowling performance in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, dismantling Punjab Kings for a mere 101 runs at the Maharaja Yudhvir Singh International Stadium. This emphatic display brought RCB to the cusp of their fourth IPL final in 18 seasons.
The star of the show was young wrist-spinner Suyash Sharma, who returned with sensational figures of 3 for 17 in three overs. His scalps included key batters Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Musheer Khan, effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Punjab revival.
Suyash’s impact was undeniable, but the 22-year-old believed he deserved one more wicket during his spell. The moment came in the 11th over when he bowled a clever googly to new batter Harpreet Brar. The delivery pitched on leg stump and struck Brar on the pads.
Suyash immediately raised his arm in confident appeal, certain he had trapped the batter plumb in front. So sure was he of the dismissal that he turned and sprinted in celebration without waiting for the umpire’s decision.
However, what followed was a moment of comic confusion. As Suyash completed his celebratory run down the pitch, he looked back to see his teammates standing quietly, clearly unconvinced. Realizing he might have celebrated too early, Rajat Patidar stepped in and took a review — perhaps more to save face for his enthusiastic teammate than out of genuine conviction.
The review, however, didn’t go in their favor. Hawk-Eye showed that the ball had pitched significantly outside leg stump, rendering the appeal invalid and making Suyash’s premature celebration all the more amusing. The incident quickly became a talking point, with fans on social media having a laugh at the bowler’s expense. Despite the error, Suyash’s overall performance remained a crucial pillar in RCB’s clinical effort.
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While the missed opportunity may have slightly dented his wicket tally, it did little to diminish Suyash Sharma’s influence on the match. His sharp turn and attacking mindset made life miserable for the Punjab batters. More importantly, his efforts placed RCB in a commanding position, leaving them just one step away from a much-awaited return to the IPL final.