IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction, Who Will Win Today Qualifier 1?

In the last five encounters between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the latter has led by a margin of 4-1. The last fixture between these two franchises in Mullanpur saw the 2014 runners-up lose the defense against the Rajat Patidar-led side.

Both franchises will meet each other for the first qualifier on May 29, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, during the PBKS vs RCB clash.

Going into this meeting, under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the Kings finished the group-stage encounter at the top of the points table, thanks to nine victories in 14 games at a net run rate of +0.372.

The pressure was high on Bengaluru for their last group game against Lucknow. They have nothing to lose but a lot to gain in the 228-run chase. A victory leapfrogged them over the Gujarat Titans to leave the second position with a net run-rate of +0.301.

Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain, celebrated his eighth half-century in the IPL and is now the fifth-leading run-getter of the tournament with 602 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 147.91. His fine knock of 54 runs in 30 balls in an opening stand of 61 runs in 5.4 overs with Phil Salt (30 runs in 19 deliveries) provided them a great platform.

Also Read: Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh- 1st T20I, Bangladesh Tour Of Pakistan 2025

However, the game was still far from their hands. Jitesh Sharma, the standing captain for Bengaluru due to Patidar’s leadership, creamed an undefeated partnership of 107 runs in 45 balls for the fifth wicket with Mayank Agarwal (41* of 23 balls) to set the stage for the PBKS vs RCB match.

For the Punjab Kings, it’s the old captain-coach bond between Shreyas and Ricky Ponting. Iyer has grown the confidence among the young players who have displayed their incredible batting performance in various situations.

Their openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, have crossed the 400-run mark and that will be a huge confidence boost for the franchise. Even in the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh has done a terrific job with the new ball to swing it both ways.

For the PBKS vs RCB qualifier 1, both sides will aim to see their informed batters come to the party.

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Records

PBKS vs RCB Previous Contest in Mullanpur

The previous PBKS vs RCB fixture in Mullanpur took place this year. Punjab batted first to post 157/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Prabhsimran Singh’s 33-run knock in 17 balls. However, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar displayed high-skill death bowling to end on 157/6 in 20 overs.

For Bengaluru, it was an easy chase. Virat remained unbeaten on 73 runs in 54 balls thanks to a strike rate of 135.19, while Devdutt Padikkal also drilled 61 runs in 35 balls to reach the target by seven wickets with seven balls to spare.

Probable Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Tim Seifert, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thusara, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma.

Impact Sub: Rajat Patidar

Punjab Kings

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact Sub: Vijaykumar Vyshak

PBKS vs RCB Player Prediction

Best Batter Prediction: Virat Kohli

In a pressure game, the eyes will always be on Virat Kohli. The right-handed batter has smashed 602 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 147.91.

Also Read: Bangladesh Playing XI vs Pakistan- 1st T20I, Bangladesh Tour Of Pakistan 2025

Best Bowler Prediction: Arshdeep Singh

The left-arm fast bowler is the fifth leading wicket-taker of the IPL 2025 with 18 scalps in 13 innings at an average of 23 and an economy rate of 8.56.

PBKS vs RCB Winner Prediction

Between the two franchises, the batting-first team is likely to win the battle for the first qualifier and go straight into the final.