IPL 2025: Qualifier 1, PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between PBKS vs RCB?

Match Overview

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

In his maiden stint as PBKS captain, Shreyas Iyer has led the franchise to its first appearance in the playoffs since 2014. They won nine games and lost just four out of the 14 they played in the round-robin phase of the tournament. One game was washed out. PBKS registered a comprehensive seven-wicket win in their most recent fixture against Mumbai Indians in Jaipur to punch their tickets to Qualifier 1.

Meanwhile, RCB have finished in the top two for the first time since 2016. They finished second in the league behind PBKS. Rajat Patidar and Co. also had the same number of wins and losses in the league stages as PBKS, but their net run rate was slightly lower than that of Shreyas' men. RCB defeated Lucknow Super Giants in the last league game of the season, chasing down a 228-run target, their highest successful run-chase ever.

These two teams met twice in the league phase. PBKS won at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, while RCB avenged the defeat in Mullanpur.

PBKS vs RCB Match Details

MY Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for PBKS vs RCB

Mullanpur has hosted nine IPL games so far. The average first-innings score is 174. Five games have been won by teams batting first. In IPL 2025, the venue hosted four matches. Three of them were won by teams batting first. The average first-innings score is 183. Teams generally prefer bowling first in the T20 format, but setting up a total could be a good ploy at this venue. Also, set batters will have to make it count because new batters might find it difficult to go after the bowlers from the get-go.

Also Check: PBKS vs RCB Live Score, Qualifier 1

Head-to-Head Record

PBKS vs RCB Predicted Playing 11s

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 Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter of the Match: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been in stunning form yet again this season. He has amassed 602 runs from 13 innings at an average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 147.92. What has been refreshing to see this season has been Kohli's willingness to go after the bowlers from the outset. He has smashed eight half-centuries so far. The former India captain will want to get his team off to a solid start once again. 

Probable Best Bowler of the Match: Josh Hazlewood

Jitesh Sharma said ahead of RCB's last game that Josh Hazlewood will be ready in time for the playoffs. The right-arm pacer's absence has been felt as RCB have conceded 211, 231, and 227 runs in three games without him. Hazlewood has bagged 18 wickets from 10 games this season at an average of 17.28. He is still among the leading wicket-takers this season. However, it will be interesting to see if he continues in the same rhythm after the brief injury layoff.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

Scenario 1

• Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl
• PP Score - 50-60
• RCB - 170-180
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match

Scenario 2

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
• PP score - 55-65
• PBKS - 170-180
• 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.