PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Pitch Report, and Playing XI of Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025

Indian Premier League 2025, Qualifier 1 played between PBKS vs RCB at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, stay updated with ScoreWaves for Indian Premier League 2025 Qualifier 1 match fantasy tips, playing 11, pitch reports, fastest cricket score, fastest updates, sports news and more

Ladies and gentlemen, here we are. After two months of thrilling, edge-of-the-seat cricket — and a week of uncertainty due to rising political tension between India and Pakistan — the IPL 2025 playoffs are finally here. And we’re kicking things off with a blockbuster: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. It’s a clash between two sides that have been part of the IPL furniture since the beginning — and yet, neither has managed to lay their hands on the trophy. That could change now. One of them is just two wins away from rewriting their legacy. 

Both teams finished the league stage with 19 points, and few would argue they didn’t earn it. Punjab’s story this season has been especially compelling. After a full decade of missing the playoffs, they hit the reset button in the mega-auction and went all in. They brought in 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer to lead the charge and paired him with Ricky Ponting as head coach. From the get-go, their intent was clear. 

Shashank Singh, one of only two players retained before the season, boldly predicted on a podcast that PBKS would finish in the top two. People raised eyebrows back then, but no one's laughing now. With renewed belief and a team that’s finally clicking, Punjab will quietly fancy their chances of making their first IPL final since 2014 — and maybe even lifting the trophy. 

RCB, on the other hand, are no strangers to high hopes. In fact, they’ve lived with them for nearly two decades. Always in the conversation, always a contender, and always, somehow, a step away from glory. With Virat Kohli — arguably the greatest T20 batter of his generation — leading from the front, RCB’s title drought has often felt like cricket’s biggest paradox. But this season feels different. There’s a buzz around the side, and their performances on the road — a perfect 7-for-7 in away games — have added serious momentum. Fans can sense it. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year. 

Of course, they’ll have to overcome a few hiccups. Josh Hazlewood’s availability remains uncertain, and Tim David’s hamstring injury in the penultimate league game against SRH could rule him out of the tournament. But if there’s one thing RCB fans have mastered over the years, it’s hope — and this time, it feels more real than ever. So, here we go: two teams with history, heartbreak, and a whole lot to prove. One will move a step closer to finally shedding the label of nearly-men. The other will have to take the long route. 

Head-to-Head: PBKS vs RCB - Who Holds the Advantage?

If we talk about head to head record, then both the teams have faced each other 35 times in which PBKS has won 18 matches whereas RCB have won 17 matches. In such a situation, PBKS will have an advantage in this match because they will be playing on their same ground where played previous match.

The matches between the two teams are always tough. PBKS's team is looking in good form but RCB's main batsmen need to take responsibility as they are getting out after getting set. For RCB, both openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli have looking in distractive touch but need to convert big innings after getting a good start.

Total Matches Played: 35

PBKS Wins: 18

RCB Wins: 17

No Result/Abandoned Matches: 0

Despite RCB having the firepower of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Tim David, RCB's all-around strength and explosive players Kurnal Pandya and Romario Shepherd give them the upper hand in this head-to-head contest. However, it’s always been a close battle, with both sides frequently trading blows in IPL clash.

Recent Forms of Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

PBKS: W L W W W 

RCB: W L W W W

Predictions: Who Will Win the Match?

As far as fantasy cricket is concerned, PBKS might have the edge with their explosive batting lineup led by Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyash Iyer, Nehal Badhera and Shashank Singh, but RCB's balanced squad and the presence of all-rounders like Kurnal Pandya and Romario Shepherd make them a formidable opponent. Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, with its high-scoring potential, might slightly favor the batting-heavy teams, so expect a run-fest.

Injury Update:

Currently no injury concerns from both sides.

PBKS vs RCB Match, Date, Time, & Venue: 

Match: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025  

Date & Time: 29 May 2025

Stadium: Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium

Location: Mullanpur

PBKS vs RCB Match Pitch Report:

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur offers a balanced pitch that challenges both batsmen and bowlers. Early in the match, the surface favors the batsmen, allowing them to play aggressive strokes with good bounce and a solid foundation. A first innings score between 180-190 runs is generally considered competitive. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, providing assistance to spinners, which can make chasing more difficult. Teams chasing targets around 180-190 runs generally have a fighting chance, but anything above 190-200 can put them under pressure, especially with the slow nature of the pitch in the second innings. Overall, it’s a dynamic surface where both batting and bowling strategies need to adapt to the conditions, and a score around 180+ is often a strong target for the chasing side. 

IPL Stats	Value
Total Matches	9
Batting First Won	5
Bowling First Won	4
1st Innings Average Score	167
2nd Innings Average Score	155
Highest Total	219/6 PBKS vs CSK
Lowest Total	59/10 KKR vs PBKS
Highest Chased	177/6 PBKS vs Delhi
Lowest Defended	111/10 PBKS vs KKR

Possible Playing 11 for Punjab Kings:

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stonis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal 

Impact Sub: Praveen Dubey, Vijaykumar Vaishak, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh

Possible playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma  

Impact Players: Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh

Punjab Kings Key players: 

Priyansh Arya: 6 (9), 9 (7), 23 (15), 69 (35), 22 (15), 16 (11), 22 (12)

Prabhsimran Singh: 28 (18), 21 (10), 54 (36), 83 (49), 33 (17), 13 (9), 30 (15)

Shreyas Iyer: 53 (4), 30 (25), 72 (41), 25* (16), 6 (10), 7 (10), 0 (2)

Shashank Singh: 11 (10), 59 (30), 23 (12), DNP, 31* (33), 1 (5), 18(17)

Marco Jansen: 0 (2) + 1/42, DNB + 2/41, 4 (2) + 2/30, 0/20 + 25*(20), 2/10 + DNB, 3/17 + 1(2), 0/39 + 5(5)

Arshdeep Singh: 0/35, 0/60, 2/25, 1/26, 2/23, 1/11, 1/37

Yuzvendra Chahal: DNP, 0/30, 4/32, 1/36, 2/11, 1/5, 1/56

Wicketkeepers: Prabhsimran Singh, Ryan Rickelton

Batsman: Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav

All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner

Bowlers:  Arshdeep Singh, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Punjab kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team for Today Match:

Punjab kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Prediction Caption and Vice-Captain: 

Choice 1: SuryaKumar Yadav (C), Sheyas Iyer (VC)

Choice 2:  Jasprit Bumrah  (C), Azmatullah Omarzai (VC)

Punjab kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Fantasy Prediction Backups:

Nehal Vadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Karun Nair, Kuldeep Yadav

Disclaimer:     

The author has provided you with the above-mentioned match prediction on the basis of his research, understanding, and analysis, consider the points and make your own decision

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