Get ready for the biggest game of the season so far! It’s the PBKS vs RCB Today Match, the first Qualifier of IPL 2025. Today, Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will clash with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This high-stakes match is happening at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The winner of this PBKS vs RCB Today Match goes straight to the IPL 2025 Final!
Both teams are looking for their first-ever IPL trophy. This is a huge chance for them to make history. To help you enjoy every moment, we’ll give you all the important details for this PBKS vs RCB Today Match. We’ll cover the pitch report, weather conditions, possible playing teams, and how you can watch the game live. Let’s dive in and get all the information about the PBKS vs RCB Today Match!
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: The Road to Qualifier 1
Both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played excellent cricket to reach this PBKS vs RCB Today Match. They finished as the top two teams in the league stage, showing how strong and consistent they have been throughout IPL 2025.
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, have adopted a very brave and aggressive approach to their cricket this season. They finished at the top of the points table, showcasing their dominance with powerful batting and effective bowling. In their last league game, PBKS delivered a strong performance against Mumbai Indians, securing a 7-wicket victory. Their young batters, Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis, scored crucial half-centuries, while bowlers like Arshdeep Singh were very impactful. This strong finish gives PBKS great momentum for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, have also shown great fighting spirit and resilience. They secured a top-two finish by winning many crucial matches later in the season. In their last league game against Lucknow Super Giants, RCB successfully chased a huge target of 228 runs. Virat Kohli scored a vital fifty, and Jitesh Sharma played an amazing innings of 85 runs from just 33 balls. This win demonstrated that RCB can perform under big pressure and chase down any target. This makes them a very dangerous team for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match.
Interestingly, PBKS and RCB had very similar records in the league stage, both ending with 19 points. PBKS, however, secured the top spot with a slightly better Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.372 compared to RCB’s +0.301. This close race throughout the league stage promises an even more exciting PBKS vs RCB Today Match.
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: Key Information
Here are the important details for this big playoff game, so you don’t miss anything about the PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
- Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Qualifier 1, IPL 2025
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
- Date & Time (IST): Thursday, May 29, 2025, 7:30 PM
- Toss Time (IST): Thursday, May 29, 2025, 7:00 PM
Knowing these times helps you plan your evening around the PBKS vs RCB Today Match and catch all the action live.
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: Pitch Report for Mullanpur
The pitch report for the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is very important for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match. This is Punjab’s new home ground, and understanding its nature can influence the game’s outcome.
The surface here is generally good for batting, offering a balanced contest between bat and ball. The pitch is true, meaning the ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing batters to play their shots easily. The fast outfield also means that good shots will quickly reach the boundary, potentially leading to high scores in the PBKS vs RCB Today Match.
As the game goes on, especially in the second half, some reports suggest spinners tend to become more effective. This means that spin bowlers in the middle overs could play a very important role, possibly aiding the team bowling second.
Let’s look at some key stats from this venue for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
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Overall IPL Records at Mullanpur (since 2023):
- Matches Played: 16
- Team Batting First Won: 10 times
- Team Batting Second (Chasing) Won: 6 times
- Average First Innings Score: 173 runs for 6 wickets (Run rate – 8.65)
- Lowest Total Defended: 111 runs (this season)
- Highest Target Chased: 175 runs
- 200+ Totals (excluding shortened matches): Happened 2 times in 14 matches
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Pace vs Spin at Mullanpur (since 2023):
- Pace Bowlers: Have taken 62% of the overs, got 142 wickets, with an average of 21.4 runs per wicket, and an economy of 8.7 runs per over.
- Spin Bowlers: Have taken 38% of the overs, got 51 wickets, with an average of 33 runs per wicket, and an economy of 7.9 runs per over.
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Scores and Outcomes:
- If the 1st Innings Score was 170 runs or more: The team batting first won 9 out of 10 matches.
- If the 1st Innings Score was Less Than 170 runs: The team batting second won all 5 matches.
In IPL 2025, Mullanpur hosted four league matches. Three of these were won by teams batting first. The average first innings score during this season was 183 runs. This indicates a slight trend towards teams batting first having an advantage at this venue this season, especially if they can put up a big score.
The most recent IPL match at Mullanpur was actually between PBKS and RCB themselves (Match 37 of IPL 2025). In that game, PBKS batted first and scored 157 for 6. RCB successfully chased this target with 7 wickets and 7 balls to spare. This head-to-head result at the venue is a very important piece of information for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match. It shows that chasing is possible if the target is not too high, but batting first can also be rewarding on this pitch.
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: Weather Report for Mullanpur
Good news for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match! The weather forecast for Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, is clear.
According to weather reports, it is unlikely to rain at the venue. The temperature is expected to be around 35°C at the start of the match, cooling down to around 28°C by the end. Humidity levels will range between 38% and 51% during the game. The sky is forecasted to remain clear throughout the Qualifier 1 clash.
This means we should have a full 40-over match without any delays or interruptions due to rain. This clear weather is ideal for a high-stakes playoff game like the PBKS vs RCB Today Match. However, it will be a warm evening, so player endurance will be key.
Important Note for Rain: There is no reserve day for Qualifier 1. If the match gets abandoned due to rain, the team that finished at a higher position in the league stage will directly qualify for the final. In this scenario, Punjab Kings (PBKS) would advance to the final because of their better Net Run Rate, and RCB would then play the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2.
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: Probable Playing XIs
Knowing the likely playing teams (Playing XIs) is very important for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match. These lineups will show you which players are likely to play and how the teams might set up their strategies.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Playing XI for PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Priyansh Arya
- Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer (captain)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Azmatullah Omarzai (expected to replace Marco Jansen)
- Harpreet Brar
- Kyle Jamieson
- Arshdeep Singh
- Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal / Vijaykumar Vyshak
Note: PBKS all-rounder Marco Jansen is unavailable as he has returned to South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship Final. Azmatullah Omarzai is likely to take his place to maintain team balance. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been declared fit and is expected to return after missing a few games due to a wrist injury. He could be used as an Impact Player, especially if PBKS are defending a total, as he has a good record in Mullanpur (4/28).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Probable Playing XI for PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt
- Mayank Agarwal
- Rajat Patidar
- Jitesh Sharma (captain & wicketkeeper)
- Liam Livingstone / Tim Seifert (Tim David is unlikely due to injury)
- Romario Shepherd
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Impact Player: Suyash Sharma / Nuwan Thushara
Note: RCB’s Tim David is unlikely to play due to a hamstring injury. Rajat Patidar has looked a bit out of form recently, but he is a big match player who can perform under pressure. Josh Hazlewood is expected to return after recovering from a shoulder issue. His inclusion would greatly strengthen RCB’s pace attack and might mean Nuwan Thushara sits out.
How to Watch PBKS vs RCB Today Match Live Stream
Don’t want to miss a single ball of the PBKS vs RCB Today Match? Here’s how you can watch it live in India:
- Live Broadcast on TV: The match will be shown live on the Star Sports network. You can watch it on channels like Star Sports 1 HD/SD (for English commentary) and other regional Star Sports channels in various languages.
- Live Streaming Online: For online streaming, you can watch the PBKS vs RCB Today Match on JioCinema (App & Website). JioCinema provides free live streaming of all IPL matches in India.
Make sure you have a good internet connection or a DTH subscription to enjoy the full action of the PBKS vs RCB Today Match.
PBKS vs RCB Today Match: Key Statistics and Records
Let’s look at some important stats and records that add more excitement to the PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
- Overall Head-to-Head: In 35 matches played, Punjab Kings have won 18 times, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won 17 times. It’s a very close contest historically.
- Head-to-Head in IPL 2025: They met twice this season, with each team winning one match. PBKS won a rain-shortened game in Bengaluru. RCB then won the reverse fixture in Mullanpur by 7 wickets.
- First Playoff Meeting: This is the first time PBKS and RCB are facing each other in an IPL playoff match. The stakes are higher than ever!
Important Player Stats for PBKS vs RCB Today Match:
- Virat Kohli (RCB): He loves playing against Punjab. In his last five innings against PBKS, he has scored 302 runs at an amazing average of 75.5 and a strike rate of 151, with four scores of 50 or more. He’s also RCB’s top scorer this season with 608 runs.
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): He is PBKS’s “Mr. Consistent” in playoffs. He has only been dismissed once in his last five IPL playoff games, scoring 160 runs at a strike rate of 160.28. He is PBKS’s top scorer this season with 514 runs.
- Harpreet Brar (PBKS): This left-arm spinner is a “Trump Card” for PBKS against RCB. He has taken 11 IPL wickets against RCB, the most by any PBKS bowler against them. His left-arm spin has often troubled RCB’s middle order. RCB has also struggled against left-arm spinners this season (16 dismissals).
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): If he plays, he’s RCB’s main strike weapon away from home. He has taken 10 of his 18 wickets this season in away games. His average (17.28) and strike rate (12.28) make him a serious threat in the PBKS vs RCB Today Match. He has also dismissed Shreyas Iyer three times in 19 balls, giving away only 9 runs.
- Punjab’s Explosive Top-Order: PBKS’s top three batters average 36.35 with a blazing strike rate of 177.02—the best in IPL 2025. Look out for Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya in the powerplay.
- RCB’s Unbeaten Away Record: RCB has won all 7 of their away games in IPL 2025, including one against PBKS in Mullanpur. This shows their great adaptability and composure under pressure.
- RCB Bowlers’ Dominance vs PBKS: RCB bowlers have been very effective against PBKS this season, taking 10 wickets at an economy of 7.74 and a strike rate of 19.3 in their two matches. This is the most economical bowling record against PBKS by any team in IPL 2025.
Milestone Watch: Records on the Horizon in PBKS vs RCB Today Match
Several players are close to achieving big milestones in the PBKS vs RCB Today Match, adding more excitement to the game:
- Virat Kohli: Needs 5 more sixes to reach 200 sixes as a T20 opener.
- Phil Salt: Is just 16 runs away from completing 1000 IPL runs.
- Marcus Stoinis: Needs 8 more runs to reach 2000 IPL runs.
These personal milestones could be broken in the PBKS vs RCB Today Match, providing extra moments of celebration!
Conclusion: The Grand Stage Awaits for PBKS vs RCB Today Match
The stage is perfectly set for an electrifying PBKS vs RCB Today Match. Both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have shown they are top teams this season. They have overcome challenges and earned their spot in this crucial playoff. All the stats, head-to-head records, the analysis of the Mullanpur pitch, and the favorable weather conditions point towards a captivating contest.
Fans can expect a match filled with powerful hitting, smart bowling, and intense fielding. The winner of this PBKS vs RCB Today Match will get a direct entry into the IPL 2025 final. The team that loses will still get one more chance in Qualifier 2. May the best team win this crucial playoff thriller! It promises to be a memorable night of IPL cricket. Don’t miss the PBKS vs RCB Today Match!
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