PBKS vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: With the league stage over, it’s time for the IPL 2025 playoffs. In Qualifier 1, the top two teams of the league stage will face off. Punjab Kings, the table-toppers, will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur. Qualifier 1 is a cushion for both teams. The winner will play the final, while the loser will get another chance when they take on the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2. With RCB and PBKS both winning at each other’s home ground, it makes the battle interesting.
PBKS vs RCB Live Blog
PBKS vs RCB Match Preview
Punjab Kings, topping the league with nine wins, face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who finished second with an identical win record but a lower net run rate, in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. PBKS, under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, have thrived with uncapped talents like Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera, complemented by a potent bowling attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal. Their seven-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians sealed their top spot.
RCB, powered by Virat Kohli’s 608 runs and a record 228-run chase against LSG, rely on their explosive batting, with Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma in form. Josh Hazlewood’s return bolsters their bowling. The Mullanpur pitch offers a balanced contest, favouring teams batting first, with an average first-innings score of 183 this season. PBKS hold a slight head-to-head edge (18-17), but RCB’s recent seven-wicket win at Mullanpur adds spice. With no major rain threat, a full 40-over thriller is expected. The winner secures a final berth, while the loser gets another shot via Qualifier 2. Expect a fierce battle as both teams chase their maiden IPL title.
Mullanpur Pitch Report
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium pitch is balanced but leans toward teams batting first, with three of four IPL 2025 matches won by sides setting a target. The average first-innings score this season is 183, with a historical venue average of 174. The surface offers true bounce and carry, aiding strokeplay, but spinners and disciplined pacers can find assistance, especially early on. Short square boundaries (63m and 70m) favour aggressive batting, while set batters will be key as new batters may struggle initially. Expect scores around 180-200.
Mullanpur Weather Report
The weather in Mullanpur on May 29, 2025, is expected to be favourable, with temperatures around 30-34°C and humidity rising slightly in the evening. Forecasts indicate a 1% chance of rain with 50% cloud cover, suggesting a low likelihood of interruptions. However, some sources note a possibility of showers, which could favour PBKS (league leaders) in case of a washout, as they’d advance to the final.
PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Records
- Total Matches: 35
- PBKS Wins: 18
- RCB Wins: 17
- No Result/Tied: 0
Predicted Playing 11
- Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh
- Impact Sub: Impact Sub: Yuzvendra Chahal, Priyansh Arya
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood
- Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma, Mayank Agarwal
Squads
Punjab Kings Squad
- Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad
- Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Seifert, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Blessing Muzarabani, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh
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