Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This high-stakes clash marks the first playoff match of the season, with the winner securing a direct spot in the IPL 2025 Final.
Meanwhile, the losing team will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator match for a second shot at reaching the final.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Team Overview
Punjab Kings enter Qualifier 1 with strong momentum, having delivered an outstanding performance against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league-stage match. In a must-win encounter, PBKS dominated MI, leaving them no room for a comeback.
Despite MI setting a competitive total of 184 runs in 20 overs, PBKS chased it down comfortably in 18.3 overs, securing their place in the playoffs. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership has been instrumental in PBKS’ success, guiding the team to a top finish in the league standings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Team Preview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru showcased their resilience in their final league-stage match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). LSG posted a massive total of 227 runs, putting RCB under immense pressure. However, RCB’s batters responded brilliantly, delivering a record-breaking chase of 228 runs in just 18.4 overs, marking the third-highest successful run chase in IPL history.
This emphatic victory came at a crucial moment in a do-or-die match, ensuring RCB’s qualification for the playoffs. With their batting lineup firing at the right time, RCB heads into Qualifier 1 with confidence and momentum, ready to challenge PBKS for a direct spot in the final.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Match Details
Date and Time: 29th May, Thursday, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
Live Streaming: JioHotstar (app & website)/ Star Sports Network
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Pitch Report
The pitch at New Chandigarh has been well-balanced, offering favourable conditions for batters as the match progresses. It has generally supported stroke play, with scores frequently exceeding 180 runs, making it a good surface for batting.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Weather Report
The weather at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, looks favourable for the IPL 2025 match between PBKS and RCB. There is no forecast of rain on Thursday, ensuring ideal conditions for cricket.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Toss Report
Based on past IPL records, this ground has hosted 9 matches, with teams batting first winning 5 times and teams chasing securing 4 victories. The stats indicate that both batting first and second can be viable strategies, depending on match conditions.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Team Analysis
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Strength
Punjab Kings have built a well-balanced squad for IPL 2025, combining experienced players with emerging talents. Their batting lineup has been one of the most explosive in the tournament, with Shreyas Iyer leading from the front.
The presence of multi-dimensional all-rounders such as Azmatullah Omarzai and Aaron Hardie has provided flexibility in both batting and bowling. Additionally, their bowling attack has been formidable, with Arshdeep Singh delivering consistent performances and Yuzvendra Chahal providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Weakness
Punjab Kings have struggled with inconsistency, failing to capitalize on momentum in crucial matches. Their over-reliance on key players like Iyer has sometimes left them vulnerable when these stars fail to perform. The lack of experience in the top order has also been a concern, with younger players struggling against high-quality bowling attacks.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Strength
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been one of the most balanced teams in IPL 2025, with a power-packed batting lineup led by Virat Kohli. Alongside him, Rajat Patidar and Phil Salt have provided solid support, ensuring stability in the top order.
RCB’s bowling attack has significantly improved, with Josh Hazlewood leading the pace unit. Krunal Pandya has been a surprise package, delivering crucial breakthroughs with 15 wickets at an average of 22.5.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Weakness
RCB has shown over-dependence on Virat Kohli. The team has won all seven matches where Kohli has scored a fifty, but they have lost four out of five games where he failed to register a half-century. This reliance on one player could be a concern in high-pressure playoff matches. Additionally, RCB lacks a world-class spinner, which might hurt them in crucial moments.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Key Players
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Shreyas Iyer: Iyer has been the backbone of Punjab Kings’ batting lineup in IPL 2025, delivering consistent performances throughout the season. As the team’s captain, he has led from the front, scoring 514 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 171.90, including five half-centuries. His ability to adapt to match situations and build his innings has been crucial in PBKS securing a spot in Qualifier 1.
Priyansh Arya: Arya has been in excellent form, playing a match-winning knock against the Mumbai Indians in PBKS’ most recent match. He scored 62 runs off 35 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate the powerplay. With 424 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 165.78, Arya has been a reliable top-order batter for PBKS, capable of playing both grounded and high-percentage shots.
Arshdeep Singh: He has been one of the most consistent bowlers in IPL 2025, currently ranking fourth in the Purple Cap race with 18 wickets in 14 matches. His precise line and length, along with his pinpoint yorkers, have made him a key player for PBKS. His ability to deliver under pressure was evident in the final over against MI, where he conceded just 3 runs and took 2 wickets, restricting the opposition from crossing the 200-run mark.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Virat Kohli: Kohli continues to prove why he is regarded as one of the greatest batters in modern cricket. With 602 runs in 13 matches at an average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 147.91, he has been the driving force behind RCB’s success. Kohli has registered eight half-centuries this season, all in winning causes, and recently became the first player to score 9000 T20 runs for a single franchise.
Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh has emerged as a game-changer for RCB, delivering a stunning performance against Lucknow Super Giants. His unbeaten 85 off 33 balls at a strike rate of 257.58 helped RCB chase down 228 runs in just 18.4 overs. With 412 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.30, Sharma has been a crucial finisher for RCB, and his ability to accelerate in the death overs makes him a major threat to PBKS.
Josh Hazlewood: Josh has been a standout performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, leading their bowling attack with 18 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 8.44. His extra bounce and lethal pace have troubled opposition batters, making him a key weapon for RCB in the playoffs.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Probable Playing XIs
Punjab Kings (PBKS) probable playing XI: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak/Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh (IP).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) probable playing XI: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma(wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood/Blessing Muzarabani, Suyash Sharma (IP).
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Head-to-Head Records
Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have faced off 35 times in the history of the Indian Premier League. PBKS holds a slight edge with 18 wins, while RCB has secured 17 victories. The rivalry between these teams has been closely contested, with both sides delivering memorable performances over the years.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Dream 11 Prediction
Wicket-Keeper: Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma
Batters: Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Priyansh Arya
All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Full Squad
Punjab Kings (PBKS) full squad for IPL 2025: 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 (RCB) full squad for IPL 2025: 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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