Who will win IPL 2025 Qualifier 1?

PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction: After 70 matches, it has come down to the IPL 2025 playoffs. Punjab Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur. The winner will go through to the IPL 2025 final while the loser gets another chance through Qualifier 2. With both teams yet to win an IPL trophy, neither team will want to leave it to chance in Qualifier 2. They would aim to seal the final spot and have four days of rest before the final.

Match Details

• Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1
• Date: May 29, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
• Broadcast: Star Sports Network (TV), Hotstar (Live Streaming)

PBKS vs RCB Match Preview

Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 brings together two of the season’s standout teams. Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer and coached by Ricky Ponting, have transformed into a formidable unit, topping the league stage with nine wins in 14 matches. Their aggressive batting, led by uncapped talents like Priyansh Arya and the experienced Shreyas Iyer, combined with a potent bowling attack spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh, makes them a balanced side.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, have also secured nine wins, finishing second due to a slightly inferior net run rate. RCB’s resurgence is fueled by Virat Kohli’s form and a versatile bowling unit bolstered by Josh Hazlewood’s return. Both teams split their league-stage encounters, with PBKS winning in Bengaluru and RCB triumphing in Mullanpur, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Recent Form

Punjab Kings: WLWWW

PBKS have been in great form, winning four of their last five matches. Their seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in Jaipur sealed their top spot in the league stage. Shreyas Iyer (514 runs, SR 171.90) and Arshdeep Singh (18 wickets) have been standout performers. Uncapped players like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh added flair.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: W L NR W W

• RCB have won three of their last five completed matches, with their most notable performance being a record 228-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants. Virat Kohli leads the batting charts (602 runs, SR 147.92), while Josh Hazlewood’s return (18 wickets in 10 games) strengthens their bowling.

Mullanpur Pitch Report

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has hosted nine IPL matches since 2024, with an average first-innings score of 174. The pitch has shown varied behaviour this season: some matches have seen high-scoring totals (three 200+ scores in eight innings), while others have been low-scoring (e.g., 95 and 111 all out).

The surface offers true bounce and good carry, favoring strokeplay, but can assist spinners and slower bowlers, especially in the middle overs. Teams batting first have won five of nine matches, suggesting setting a target (around 180-200) could be advantageous, though dew is unlikely to be a factor in this evening game.

Chandigarh Weather Report

The weather in Chandigarh on May 29, 2025, is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures around 30-39°C and humidity at approximately 57%. Most sources predict no rain, ensuring a full 40-over contest, though one report mentions a slight chance of showers due to partial cloud cover. Stable conditions should allow uninterrupted play, favouring a high-energy game.

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Records

Punjab and Bengaluru shared a great rivalry. The two underachievers of IPL have played 35 matches with PBKS edging RCB with an 18-17 record. However, PBKS will be wary of RCB’s away form as they have made a clean sweep in away matches, winning all seven, including one in Mullanpur.

• Total Matches: 35
• PBKS Wins: 18
• RCB Wins: 17
• No Result/Tie: 0
• Playoffs: Never faced off in playoffs
• Key Stats:
  • At Mullanpur, RCB won the only IPL match played between the two (April 20, 2025).
  • Virat Kohli has scored 1104 runs in 34 innings against PBKS (SR 133.49, 1 century, 5 fifties).
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed PBKS’s Prabhsimran Singh 4 times in 46 balls and Shreyas Iyer 3 times in 50 balls.

Predicted Playing 11

Punjab Kings

With Marco Jansen departing for the WTC Final, PBKS’ bowling takes a hit. His replacement, Kyle Jamieson, went for 42 runs in four overs without any success. But the return of Yuzvendra Chahal will boost the side.

Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh

• Impact Sub: Yuzvendra Chahal, Priyansh Arya

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Josh Hazlewood is all set to return after an injury break. However, skipper Rajat Patidar is still not fully fit, while Tim David is likely to miss Qualifier 1 with a hamstring injury. Liam Livingstone is likely to take his place if David misses out.

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood

• Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma, Mayank Agarwal

PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction

This Qualifier 1 is a close call, with both teams in great form. PBKS hold a slight edge due to their top-table finish, home advantage in Mullanpur, and a balanced squad. Shreyas Iyer’s aggressive batting and Arshdeep Singh’s wicket-taking ability, combined with Yuzvendra Chahal’s spin threat (8 wickets this season), make them formidable.

However, RCB are no pushovers. RCB have enjoyed all the success away from home, winning all seven matches. With Virat Kohli’s great form (602 runs, including 8 fifties) and his strong record against PBKS, particularly at Mullanpur, RCB have the edge. Their bowling, with Josh Hazlewood (18 wickets) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Powerplay dominance, can exploit PBKS’s top order, especially Shreyas Iyer, who has struggled against RCB bowlers (25 runs in 4 innings at Mullanpur). RCB’s recent 228-run chase against LSG highlights their chasing prowess, making them favourites.