PBKS vs RCB Match Preview

It's playoff time in the IPL 2025, and the first big match is set—Punjab Kings (PKBS) will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 on Thursday in Mullanpur.  Both teams ended at the top of the table in the qualifying stage, and the winner will advance directly to the final on June 3. The losing team will not be eliminated just yet; they will face the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad, where they will have a second chance to advance to the final. The final leg of IPL 2025 is set up to be intense.

PBKS vs RCB Match Details 

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Qualifier 1 Match, IPL 2025

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh

Date & Time: 29th April 2025 at 07:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

PBKS vs RCB Venue Stats

Avg 1st inn score	218
Avg 2nd inn score	214
Win% batting 1st	54
Win% batting 2nd	46

PBKS vs RCB Pitch Report

The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Stadium has long been known to favour batters. The surface here is relatively flat, allowing batsmen to bat through the line and break big ones.

PBKS vs RCB Weather Report

The weather in Chandigarh will remain slightly cloudy and cool in the evening, but there is no chance of rain, so we should have a full match.  

PBKS vs RCB Last Five Matches

RCB ( Royal Challengers Bengaluru )	W L W W W
PBKS ( Punjab Kings )	W L W W W

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Stats

	Matches Played	PBKS Won	RCB Won	Tie	NR
Overall	35	17	18	0	0
Last 5	5	2	3	0	0

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

PBKS vs RCB Probable Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Probable Playing XIs

Punjab Kings Probable Playing XIs

Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie/ Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh (Impact Player)

Topmost Picks for PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Virat Kohli – Virat Kohli has done the hard work with the bat, registering 602 runs in 14 games at an average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 148.
• Josh Hazlewood –  Josh Hazlewood has been the most consistent bowler this season, taking 18 wickets in 10 games.

Top Picks – Punjab Kings

• Shreyas Iyer – Shreyas Iyer has been one of the most consistent batters this season, making him an excellent choice for the group stages. With 514 runs so far, Iyer is the leading run scorer for his team.
• Arshdeep Singh –  Arshdeep Singh has led the Punjab Kings' bowling attack, taking 18 wickets in 13 innings.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Team:

Philip Salt(VC), Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer(C), Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Team:

Philip Salt, Prabhsimran Singh(VC), Priyansh Arya, Virat Kohli(C), Shreyas Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kyle Jamieson, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli

Vice-captain – Philip Salt, Prabhsimran Singh

Wicketkeeper – Prabhsimran Singh

PBKS vs RCB Probable Winners:

This season, the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are separated by almost nothing.  Both teams have had an impressive run and fully deserve to be in the top two.  They are coming off convincing victories in their final group game, and energy is clearly on their side.  It's difficult to predict who will win here because either team may assume control if things go right.  That being said, RCB appear to be in another area right now, and with Josh Hazlewood and Tim David back within the mix, they look even more dangerous.  This one could go down to the wire, but we're leaning slightly towards RCB with a 51-49 advantage. Considering the team combination, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to win this match.