IPL 2025: Trophy-starved PBKS, RCB in Final-bound Faceoff

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, two franchises without a trophy, face off in the first qualifier with a final spot up for grabs.

Background

PBKS have consistently operated in a zone of mediocrity since 2014, while RCB have been better, making it to the playoffs in five of the six seasons since 2020 but never as a top-two side. 2025 has been a breath of fresh air for the two teams often associated with falling short.

Head to Head

PBKS 18 – 17 RCB. They've played twice this season, winning one game apiece.

When and Where

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Qualifier 1, May 29, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh

What to Expect

A hot evening, and an inclination to bat first? The average first innings score at the venue this year has been 173, with three of the four games won by the team setting the target.

Injury/Unavailability

Marco Jansen has returned home to prepare for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia, starting on June 11 in London. Azmatullah Omarzai should take his spot in the first qualifier.

Tactics & Match-ups

• Arshdeep Singh vs RCB openers could be a face-off on tenterhooks.
• PBKS might be tempted to bring Yuzvendra Chahal into the mix, despite his ordinary season so far.
• Probable 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

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Injury/Unavailability: After a Q1-securing knock in Jaipur, Jitesh offered more music to the ears of RCB supporters during the presentation in Lucknow. "Josh Hazlewood is fit now. He will probably play in the knockouts," he said.
• Tactics & Match-ups: Being able to break PBKS' opening stand early goes a long way in clipping their batting wings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed Prabhsimran Singh four times in 46 balls in all T20s, and will be trusted to do it one more time on Thursday.
• Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara/Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma