IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Preview - Venue, Squads & More

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

 

PBKS and RCB finished with the same 19 points, but PBKS grabbed the top spot as their NRR (0.372) was higher than RCB's (0.301). 

 

PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1: Match Details

 

• Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Qualifier 1, IPL 2025
• Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
• Live Streaming: Star Sports Network & JioCinema

 

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PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Stats (H2H) in IPL

 

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Stats
Total Matches	35
Won by Punjab Kings	18
Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru	17
Tied/NR	0
Last 5 Matches Result	PBKS: 1, RCB: 4

 

PBKS and RCB have met 35 times in IPL history, with PBKS winning 18 times and RCB winning 17 times. RCB defeated PBKS in their latest encounter recently.

 

PBKS vs RCB: Team Preview for Qualifier 1

 

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

 

PBKS began their IPL 2025 campaign with back-to-back wins but stumbled with two losses in their next three matches. However, they bounced back in style, to finish with nine wins from fourteen matches. Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed the last couple of matches is expected to return to his match.

 

 

Key Players of PBKS: Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Priyansh Arya, Y Chahal

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

 

RCB have impressed as a unit this season, especially in away matches where they remained unbeaten throughout. All four losses have come at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Josh Hazlewood, who missed the last game, is expected to come back into the playing eleven. Tim David is likely to replace Liam Livingstone back in the line-up. 

 

All eyes once again will be on Virat Kohli to lead from the front. Jitesh Sharma's form is the biggest positive going into the Qualifiers. Rajat Patidar's numbers are currently a concern for the team.

 

Key MI Players: Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood

 

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Probable Playing XI for PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1

 

Punjab Kings:  Priyansh Arya,  Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh,  Marcus Stoinis, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Harpreet Brar, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen 

 

Impact Subs: Suyansh Shedge, Pravin Dubey, Yash Thakur, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Prabhsimran Singh (wk)

 

RCB Expected XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

 

Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Swastik Chikara, Swapnil Singh

 

Pitch & Weather Report for PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1

 

Pitch Report

 

The pitch is likely to favour batters, making chasing a preferred option for both teams. The average score here stands at 166, but spinners have enjoyed more success than pacers at this venue.

 

 

Weather Report

 

The weather in Mullanpur on Thursday is expected to be hot and mostly sunny, with temperatures around 38°C. A brief rain is possible in the early afternoon, but conditions should clear in time for the match.

 

Conclusion

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter this contest as favourites against Punjab Kings, thanks to their strong away form and explosive batting line-up. PBKS, on the other hand, will rely heavily on their bowlers to deliver once again.