IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction of Qualifier 1: Who will win this match and enter straight into the finals?
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction of Qualifier 1: The Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a great season this time around under their newly named skipper Rajat Patidar and a completely reinforced side, with only the likes of veteran Virat Kohli being one of the players from the previous season.
The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are also a new setup, with Shreyas Iyer as the skipper and a new coaching unit that includes Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, James Hopes, and others. PBKS have never been this successful a side, having made it to the playoffs for the third time in 18 seasons. After the first season in 2008, they were runners-up in 2014, probably their best finish yet.
The table toppers of this season, RCB and the Punjab Kings, have never managed to win a title, though RCB have had a major impact with their 10th playoff appearance in 18 seasons and have emerged as runners-up on two occasions. Title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer, who won the IPL last season with KKR, will look to secure the cup with a new franchise this season.
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Match Details
Tournament: Indian Premier League 2025
Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings
Venue: New PCA Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Date: 29th May 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Pitch Report
The Mullanpur Cricket Stadium is a newly inaugurated stadium in this season of the IPL, as PBKS' home ground was moved out of Mohali to this new venue at Mullanpur. The nature of the pitches is not fully known, as the first two games featured 200+ totals; however, the next two games marked low scores like 111 defended by the Kings against KKR, who were dismissed for just 95 runs.
This will be interesting as to which track is to be used on the Mullanpur pitch for the qualifier game between RCB and PBKS, as temperatures will be moderate and there has been no forecast for rain.
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Head-to-Head Record
The Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have already faced each other twice this season. The first game between the two teams was played at Chinnaswamy, which was won by PBKS, and then RCB won the next game scheduled at PBKS' home ground.
Matches Played: 35
RCB Won: 17
PBKS Won: 18
N/R: 0
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Probable Playing 11
Tim David is the most seasoned finisher for the Royal Challengers, and the last time these two met this season, David was their best batting inclusion. However, due to a hamstring pull, he has been ruled out of the first playoff game.
RCB Probable Playing 11: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar [c], Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone/Tim Seifert, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thusara
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will miss the services of their finest all-rounder for the season and second-highest wicket-taker, Marco Jansen. Jansen has been a seasoned wicket-taker with breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game. Yuzvendra Chahal is probably making a comeback post a wrist injury.
PBKS Probable Playing 11: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer [c], Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson/Aaron Hardie, Harpreet Brar and Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Best Players for the season
RCB has had their best player in Virat Kohli, not surprising anyone, as the batter has 608 runs in this edition, having batted in 13 innings with a decent strike rate of 147.91. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, is not only a magical skipper for PBKS but also has been their highest run-getter for the season with 514 runs at a strike rate of 171.90.
The likes of Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma for RCB and Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera for PBKS have also been in fine form in this IPL season.
The highest wicket-taker for the season for RCB has been Josh Hazlewood (18 wickets), followed by Krunal Pandya (15 wickets), while for PBKS, Arshdeep Singh (18 wickets) and Marco Jansen (16 wickets) have had considerable success for the season.
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Winner Prediction
This will be the first time Punjab Kings will take on RCB in an IPL playoff game. With immense experience under his belt, Virat Kohli will be monumental in RCB's success in the IPL playoffs, while Hazlewood's return will also be monumental.
Shreyas Iyer's immense record and experience as a skipper in the IPL, and having played several ICC finals with the Indian side, he will look to lead his new franchise to their maiden title as well, as they look to advance into the finals with one straight win.
IPL 2025 RCB vs PBKS Prediction: Fantasy Team
Wicket-Keepers: Phil Salt, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Josh Inglis
Batsman: Shreyas Iyer [vc], Virat Kohli [c], and Priyansh Arya
All-Rounders: Krunal Pandya
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Josh Hazlewood and Harpreet Brar
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