Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Qualifier 1 Preview & Prediction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has been a whirlwind of excitement, and after weeks of fierce competition, four elite teams have risen to the playoffs. Among them, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to clash in the highly anticipated first qualifier at the majestic Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. This isn’t just a match—it’s a battle between two franchises chasing their maiden IPL title, each carrying the hopes of millions of fans and a legacy of near-misses.

Match Info

• Match:PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1, Indian Premier League 2025
• DatSRHe:Thursday, May 29, 2025
• Time:11:00 PM
• Venue:Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
• Umpires:Virender Sharma, Michael Gough
• Third Umpire:Rohan Pandit

Recent Performance

PBKS:W W W L W W

• May 26, 2025, 69th Match, PBKS vs MI
  PBKS won by 7 wickets (with 9 balls remaining)
• May 24, 2025, 66th Match, PBKS vs DC
  DC won by 6 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)
• May 18, 2025, 59th Match, PBKS vs RR
  PBKS won by 10 runs
• May 04, 2025, 54th Match, PBKS vs LSG
  PBKS won by 37 runs
• April 30, 2025, 49th Match, PBKS vs CSK
  PBKS won by 4 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)

RCB:W W A L W W

• May 27, 2025, 70th Match, RCB vs LSG
  RCB won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)
• May 23, 2025, 65th Match, RCB vs SRH
  SRH won by 42 runs
• May 17, 2025, 58th Match, RCB vs KKR
  Match abandoned without a ball bowled
• May 03, 2025, 52nd Match, RCB vs CSK
  RCB won by 2 runs
• April 27, 2025, 46th Match, RCB vs DC
  RCB won by 6 wickets (with 9 balls remaining)

Head to head Last 5 Matches

• RCB won by 7 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
• PBKS won by 5 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)
• RCB won by 60 runs
• RCB won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)
• RCB won by 24 runs

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

Punjab Kings: A Historic Comeback

For PBKS, this is a landmark moment. It’s their first playoff appearance since 2014, when they finished as runners-up. The years since have been tough, often seeing them exit early while others celebrated. But 2025 has been different. With Shreyas Iyer leading the charge and Ricky Ponting steering the ship, PBKS has transformed into a powerhouse. Their journey to the top two is a story of patience, strategic changes, and sheer determination.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Breaking New Ground

RCB has been a playoff regular, qualifying in five of the last six seasons. Yet, they’ve never finished in the top two—until now. This season, they’ve found a winning formula, blending batting brilliance with bowling grit. A stunning seven-match winning streak away from home has made them road warriors, setting the stage for their qualifier showdown.

The Stakes: A Direct Path to the IPL Final

The IPL playoff format adds drama to this encounter. The winner of the first qualifier secures a direct ticket to the final, while the loser gets a second shot through the second qualifier. For PBKS and RCB, this match is a golden opportunity to take a massive step toward ending their title droughts.

X-Factors That Could Decide the Match

PBKS’s Batting Depth

With a robust top order and a dynamic middle, PBKS has the firepower to chase or set daunting targets. Their ability to finish strong in the death overs could be decisive.

RCB’s Bowling Revival

RCB’s bowling faltered without Josh Hazlewood, leaking over 220 runs in consecutive matches. However, the return of a key bowler (possibly Hazlewood) for the playoffs bolsters their attack, offering hope against PBKS’s batting might.

Why This Match Matters

Neither PBKS nor RCB has won an IPL title, despite their storied pasts. PBKS’s 2014 runner-up finish and RCB’s three final appearances (2009, 2011, 2016) have only fueled their hunger. For fans and management alike, 2025 feels like a breakthrough year—a chance to rewrite history.

Prediction

head-to-head records, squad strengths, and venue factors, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerges as the slight favorite to win Qualifier 1. RCB’s dominance in recent head-to-head matchups (4-1), combined with their experience in knockout scenarios and the presence of match-winners like Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood, tilts the scales in their favor. However, PBKS’s impressive recent form (4 wins in 5) and home advantage make them a formidable contender. The match is expected to be closely fought, with the outcome potentially hinging on key individual performances and the toss, given the likely dew factor.

Conclusion: A Clash of Titans Awaits

The IPL 2025 first qualifier between PBKS and RCB is more than a game; it’s a showdown of resilience, talent, and ambition. With star players firing, tactical battles brewing, and a spot in the final on the line, this match promises to be a blockbuster. Will PBKS capitalize on their home advantage, or will RCB’s road dominance prevail? Cricket fans worldwide will be watching as these two giants fight for supremacy.