Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to play match No. 34 in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, April 18.
Match Overview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings (RCB vs PBKS) are set to play Match No. 34 in the ongoing IPL 2025 at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, April 18.
RCB are placed at No. 3 on the points table, while PBKS find themselves at No. 4. Both teams have four wins and two defeats after playing six games each. However, RCB’s net run rate is slightly better than PBKS’s. Both teams are coming into this clash on the back of significant wins.
RCB chased down a 174-run target with nine wickets and 15 balls to spare against Rajasthan Royals in their last game in Jaipur. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli slammed half-centuries, while Devdutt Padikkal also played a good hand. Krunal Pandya was the best bowler on display for RCB as he finished with figures of 1/29 in his four overs.
Meanwhile, PBKS created history in their last game as they defended a 112-run target against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders. This is the lowest score successfully defended in IPL history. Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen picked up four and three wickets, respectively.
Bengaluru M Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
Chasing is the better option at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Both games this season at the iconic venue have been won by chasing teams comprehensively. Bowlers will have very little margin for error with the short boundaries at the venue. The dew could play a role in the second innings and make batting easier. A 200-plus total will be essential for the team that bats first.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 33 |
| Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16 |
| Won by Punjab Kings | 17 |
| Tied | 00 |
| No Result | 01 |
| First-ever Fixture | May 5, 2008 |
| Most-recent Fixture | May 9, 2024 |
RCB vs PBKS Predicted Playing 11
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact Player: Suryansh Shedge
RCB vs PBKS Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter of the Match: Phil Salt
Phil Salt has been in red-hot form in IPL 2025, continuing from where he left off last season. He has slammed 208 runs in six innings at an average of 34.67 and a strike rate of 185.72. The England cricketer has scored two quickfire half-centuries this season. He has given his team some fantastic starts, and he would be hoping for more of the same on Friday.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match: Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal had been having a quiet tournament until the last game, where he bagged a four-for and turned things around for PBKS. He spent several seasons bowling at the Chinnaswamy, thriving against batters, even with the short boundaries all around. Chahal will be hoping for another solid performance on Friday.
Today’s Match Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match
Scenario 1
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
- PP Score-65
- PBKS-210
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match
Scenario 2
- Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl
- PP score: 65-75
- RCB-205205-215
- Punjab Kings win the match
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
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