IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Overview – Pitch Report, Playing XI & Head-to-Head

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 71  Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29.

PBKS gained the top 1 position in the history of IPL after 2014. They won nine games out of 14 games played in the tournament and are leading at the top of the table with 19 points. In their previous match, they defeated the MI and registered a massive victory of seven wickets, and gained the tickets for the Qualifier 1 match.
Meanwhile, RCB is in the second position in the points table with the same nine wins and 19 points, but as the NRR is lower for RCB, it finishes in second position. In their previous match, they defeated the LSG by chasing the huge 227 target, and they gained the spot to play the qualifier 1 match.
Both teams have met each other twice in this IPL 2025 season, and both of them have won 1 match each. This match will be considered as crucial for both teams because one who wins the match will be going directly to play the finals, and one who loses gets another chance to play the Qualifier 2 match.

PBKS vs RCB Match Details

Read Also: HIGHLIGHTS: LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 Match 70 – Result, Scorecard

Pitch and Conditions

Both teams have strong batting line-ups; hence, it can be expected to be a high-scoring contest at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The pitch has only a few dry patches, where bowlers will need to be precise with their lengths, as anything too full or too short can be punished-especially with the ball coming nicely onto the bat when over-pitched.
The average first innings score is 174. Despite some grass present in the middle, the pitch has remained consistent across seasons. It tends to play true for the full 40 overs, allowing captains to back their batting units whether setting or chasing a target.

PBKS vs RCB Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings

Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak.

Impact Player 

Prabhsimran Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (WK & C), Tim David/Tim Seifert, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood/Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal.

Impact Player 

Rajat Patidar

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Overview

Match Prediction

IPL 2025 Points Table

Note: Points Table as on 27 May 2025 11:59 PM (IST)