IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where To Watch The Match LIVE

Punjab Kings will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29.

PBKS vs RCB: Preview

Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, set to take place in Mullanpur, brings together two franchises linked by shared history and present-day ambition. Both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are still chasing their first-ever IPL title. Remarkably, this is PBKS’ first playoff appearance since 2014, a season where they also finished at the top of the league table but ultimately fell short in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders.

These aren’t sides unfamiliar with the pressure of an IPL final. PBKS, back when they were known as Kings XI Punjab, came agonizingly close in 2014, while RCB have endured three final defeats—in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Fans still carry those memories, and so do the franchises’ management teams. But the heartbreaks and underwhelming seasons that followed only magnify the significance of their resurgence in 2025.

When it comes to narratives and sub-plots, IPL 2025 couldn’t have asked for a more compelling fixture to kick off the playoffs. With a coveted final berth on the line, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru—two teams united by a shared history of near-misses and heartbreak—will battle it out in Qualifier 1, hoping to finally break free from the shackles of their trophy-less pasts.

PBKS’ impressive 2025 run has been powered by the performances of their uncapped Indian talent. The season marks a stark turnaround after years mired in mediocrity. Since George Bailey’s side faltered in the 2014 final, consistency has eluded them. But 2025 has been different—a bold reset in squad and mindset, powered by the Ricky Ponting-Shreyas Iyer axis, has injected both swagger and direction into a team long in search of an identity.

Among the ten players to cross the 500-run mark this season, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer stands out with a strike rate of 171.90—second only to Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 196.25. While Shreyas Iyer has been the engine of PBKS’ batting this season, shining across all phases—striking at 148.38 in the PowerPlay, 164.57 in the middle overs, and 216.12 at the death—his record against RCB this year includes two single-digit scores, a potential red flag heading into the playoffs. His individual matchups with several RCB bowlers present cause for concern.

Josh Hazlewood has dismissed him three times in just 19 T20 deliveries, conceding only nine runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also had the upper hand in the IPL, removing Shreyas thrice while leaking just 45 runs across 50 balls. Even against Krunal Pandya, who has dismissed him only once, Shreyas strikes at a modest 85.41—scoring 41 off 48 balls.

PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh has found consistent success against RCB opener Phil Salt, dismissing him four times in 32 balls while conceding just 25 runs.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed Punjab Kings’ last two matches due to a wrist niggle, is expected to be available for Thursday’s clash. However, PBKS all-rounder Marco Jansen has departed for South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. PBKS punched their ticket to Qualifier 1 with a resounding victory over a formidable Mumbai Indians side, delivering a statement win in their final league game.

RCB, while more consistent in recent seasons, have often fallen just short of excellence. Despite reaching the playoffs in five of the last six editions, they never quite cracked the top-two code—until now. This year, they’ve ditched the high-profile, top-heavy approach of the past in favor of a balanced, more grounded unit that has clicked across departments. Their captain Rajat Patidar has earned just four international caps, while vice-captain Jitesh Sharma has nine, symbolizing the franchise’s shift in approach.

RCB’s Mayank Agarwal has struggled against Yuzvendra Chahal—dismissed six times for 72 runs at an average of 12.00—but has still managed a blistering strike rate of 160.00, thanks to five sixes in 45 balls.

Virat Kohli continues to be RCB’s linchpin in run chases, amassing 342 runs in six innings this season at an incredible average of 114 and a strike rate of 144.30. His overall IPL record against PBKS is formidable too—1104 runs in 34 innings, including one century and five fifties, at a strike rate of 133.49.

RCB are likely to be strengthened by Josh Hazlewood’s return after recovering from a shoulder issue. However, RCB’s Tim David is doubtful due to a hamstring injury sustained during their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. RCB showed grit and tenacity in their hard-fought chase against Lucknow, clinching the second spot just a day before.

RCB, on the other hand, have been regular contenders in the playoffs over recent seasons. However, they last secured a top-two finish back in 2016 — a campaign that ended in heartbreak with a final defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, much like PBKS’ own story in 2014.

The contest could ultimately be defined by the PowerPlay battle. PBKS boast the second-highest scoring rate in the first six overs (10.02), but they’ll be up against RCB’s stingy new-ball attack, which holds the best economy rate in that phase (8.79), the highest dot-ball percentage (43.5%), and the second-fewest sixes conceded (28).

Yet in knockout cricket, momentum is a fragile illusion—ask RCB of 2024, who know the sting of playoff letdowns all too well. But this 2025 version feels different. Reinforced, recalibrated, and ravenous for glory, both PBKS and RCB stand at the edge of history. On Thursday, only one of them will inch closer to finally filling that long-vacant spot in the IPL winners’ circle.

PBKS vs RCB: Recent Form

Punjab Kings WLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WLWWW

PBKS vs RCB: Head-to-Head

PBKS lead RCB 18-17 in their head-to-head record. The two sides have faced off twice this season, each winning once. In their most recent encounter at this very venue, RCB emerged victorious, extending their remarkable away streak to seven wins in seven matches. However, they will be without their standout performer from that game in Chandigarh—Devdutt Padikkal—for the first qualifier.

• Matches Played: 35
• Won by Punjab Kings: 18
• Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 17
• Tied: 0
• No Result: 0
• First-ever Fixture: May 5, 2008
• Most-recent Fixture: April 20, 2025

PBKS vs RCB: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Anticipate a warm evening in Mullanpur with conditions likely favoring teams that bat first. While the average first-innings score at the venue this season is 173, teams defending a total have won three out of four matches. The pitch has offered contrasting outcomes—early games witnessed high-scoring affairs with multiple 200+ totals, while recent matches featured collapses and modest scores like 111 and 95 all out. Thursday’s surface remains a bit of a mystery, but the weather is expected to stay dry with temperatures hovering around 30°C.

PBKS vs RCB: Team News and Starting XI

Punjab Kings – Team News

In their previous outing, PBKS opted for both Marco Jansen and Kyle Jamieson, which gave them a strong five-bowler attack without compromising batting depth. With Jansen now unavailable due to national duties ahead of the WTC final against Australia on June 11, Azmatullah Omarzai is likely to reclaim his place in the XI. Alternatively, they could turn to Xavier Bartlett or Vijaykumar Vyshak, though that would thin out their lower-order batting.

Arshdeep Singh’s clash with RCB’s top order could be pivotal. He has dominated Phil Salt, dismissing him four times while conceding just 25 runs in 34 balls. Against Virat Kohli, however, the story is different—the RCB stalwart has hammered him for 93 runs off just 51 deliveries.

Yuzvendra Chahal could be considered despite a quiet season. His record against some RCB batters is encouraging: four dismissals of Jitesh Sharma for 43 runs in 39 balls, and seven dismissals of Mayank Agarwal in 55 deliveries. Chahal also brings experience against RCB, having taken nine wickets at an economy of 7.77 in nine appearances against his former franchise.

Punjab Kings – Starting XI

1. Priyansh Arya
2. Prabhsimran Singh
3. Josh Inglis (wk)
4. Shreyas Iyer (capt)
5. Nehal Wadhera
6. Shashank Singh
7. Marcus Stoinis
8. Azmatullah Omarzai
9. Kyle Jamieson
10. Harpreet Brar
11. Arshdeep Singh
12. Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Team News

Nuwan Thushara was the standout bowler against Lucknow Super Giants, but he is the most likely to be replaced by Josh Hazlewood. If RCB decide to include both, they would need to adjust their overseas player combination, which might be undesirable at this stage.

Early breakthroughs against PBKS’ opening partnership are crucial to limiting their batting momentum. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been particularly effective, dismissing Prabhsimran Singh four times in 46 balls across all T20 matches, and is expected to replicate that success on Thursday. He also has a good record against Shreyas Iyer, having taken three wickets while conceding 45 runs in 50 balls. In the PowerPlay, Bhuvneshwar boasts a dot ball percentage of 50.6%, surpassed only by Josh Hazlewood, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mohammed Siraj this season.

If fit, Hazlewood will also be an option to challenge the PBKS captain, having taken his wicket three times in just 19 deliveries.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Starting XI

1. Virat Kohli
2. Phil Salt
3. Mayank Agarwal
4. Rajat Patidar (capt)
5. Jitesh Sharma (wk)
6. Krunal Pandya
7. Liam Livingstone
8. Romario Shepherd
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Yash Dayal
11. Josh Hazlewood
12. Suyash Sharma

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Players To Watch Out For

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

Shreyas Iyer stands out as one of PBKS’s most experienced and prolific batters, having scored 514 runs from 14 innings at an impressive strike rate of 171.90.

Recently, he has notably sharpened his skills against pace bowling, adding a new dimension to his game. However, his performance at Mullanpur this season has been underwhelming, with just 25 runs in four innings, and he has struggled against several key RCB bowlers.

Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Virat Kohli, RCB’s leading run-scorer, has amassed 608 runs at a strike rate of 147.91 this season, reflecting his renewed intent and consistent form.

His recent impact at Mullanpur has been significant, including an unbeaten 73 off 54 balls that earned him the Player of the Match award the last time these teams met there. Kohli’s confident celebration directed at Shreyas after that game has set the stage for an intense showdown in their upcoming clash.

PBKS vs RCB: Prediction

Scenario 1

• Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl first
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Powerplay Score: 50-60
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Total: 170-180
• Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match

Scenario 2

• Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl first
• Punjab Kings Powerplay Score: 55-65
• Punjab Kings Total: 170-180
• Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match

When and Where To Watch Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details

The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Thursday, May 29, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.

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