IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Arshdeep Singh Urges Fans To Rally Behind PBKS For RCB Match, Says ‘Many People Don’t Support Punjab'

Punjab Kings star pacer Arshdeep Singh has taken it upon himself to make a heartfelt appeal to fans to show up and back their home team. Despite having the rare advantage of hosting a playoff match at home, Punjab Kings know that crowd support could swing momentum against an RCB side known for its fanatical following, led by none other than Virat Kohli.

Responding to a fan who messaged him on Snapchat expressing support from afar. Arshdeep’s message was clear and emotional, "Thank you for supporting us. You’re not Punjabi but you’re still supporting Punjab, whereas there are a lot of people who don’t support Punjab and have different favourite teams. I would like to urge them to support Punjab, their state, their team, and come in big numbers to see us win.”

Punjab Kings looking to upset RCB

After an 11-year wait, the Punjab Kings are back in the IPL playoffs and this time, they're doing it on home turf. As the team prepares for a high-stakes clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab’s players are hoping to turn their long-awaited return into a true homecoming with loud, passionate support from the local fans.

With a dynamic leader in Shreyas Iyer at the helm and Arshdeep anchoring the bowling unit in his seventh season with the team, Punjab have forged a more stable identity. Ahead of the high stakes encounter, the mood in the camp is confident and ambitious as they aim for maiden glory.

Meanwhile Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down a record total against Lucknow Super Giants with Jitesh Sharma hammering a match-winning 85* off just 33 balls. RCB’s resurgence in the second half of the season makes them a dangerous opponent in knockout fixtures. With both teams chasing their first IPL title, and Punjab looking to return to the final for the first time since 2014, the pressure and passion are reaching boiling point.