PBKS vs RCB Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: IPL 2025, Qualifier 1, May 29th
Published on: May 28, 2025 7:30 pm IST | Updated on: May 28, 2025 12:13 pm IST
We are into the business end of the Tata IPL 2025. It’s time for the first qualifier of the season. Table toppers Punjab Kings will be up against the second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this first qualifier, which will be played at the newly constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, PBKS vs RCB.
Win Probability: PBKS vs RCB
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have squared off twice this season, and both teams have had their glory once. There’s nothing to separate the two teams when it comes to head-to-head competition for this season. Both teams are heading into this big game on the back of a win in their respective previous fixtures. RCB defeated LSG the other night in Lucknow, whereas PBKS got the better of MI in Jaipur. It’s tough to choose a winner between the two, but we are expecting a win for the Punjab Kings, especially with this match being played at their home venue. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 match.
PBKS: 52% win chance
RCB: 48% win chance
- RCB are heading into this fixture on the back of a thrilling win over LSG by 6 wickets at the Ekana Stadium the other night.
- RCB has won 9 out of 14 matches this season and finished second on the points table with 19 points to their name.
- Punjab Kings are heading into this contest after a dominating win over Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
- They also finished with 9 wins out of 14 matches and secured 19 points, placing them in pole position in the points table.
Cricket Betting Tips for PBKS vs RCB- IPL 2025 Qualifier 1
Virat Kohli to score Over 34.5
Virat Kohli has been the most consistent batter for RCB this season. He is chasing the Orange Cap and has scored 602 runs so far from 14 innings. He is one batter to watch out for in this match.
Shreyas Iyer to score Over 27.5
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has been among the runs this season with 514 runs to his name from 14 games. Iyer will be a key wicket for the opposition.
Prabhsimran Singh to score Over 22.5
Prabhsimran Singh is the only batter other than Shreyas Iyer who has scored over 500 runs this season. He will be opening the innings and giving a great start to the team.
Jitesh Sharma to score Over 16.5
RCB's skipper, Jitesh Sharma, is fresh off a match-winning knock in the last game against LSG. He will be a key figure in the middle order.
PBKS vs RCB Today’s Match Prediction
Check out the IPL prediction for the PBKS vs RCB match.
Punjab Kings have been clinical right throughout the season
It took 11 long years for Punjab Kings to qualify for the playoffs, and the icing on the cake was their pole position finish at the end of the league stage. Punjab Kings took the right step forward by recruiting the right troops. Right from hiring coach Ricky Ponting onboard, they went into the auction with the biggest purse and ensured they ticked all the boxes.
After forming a formidable side at the auction table, Punjab Kings formed a trusted captain-coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, who have been clinical in their approach and planning right through the season. The Kings have been on song and with both their facets, i.e., batting and bowling, peaking at the right time, Punjab will be a force to reckon with.
Heading into this contest, Punjab Kings will have their tails up as they defeated a strong side like Mumbai Indians in their previous fixture in a one-sided affair in Jaipur. Punjab will fancy their chances against Bengaluru and look to head into the final of the Tata IPL 2025 on the first go.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru need to up the ante in their bowling
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had a brilliant run this season. The team has performed cohesively and will look to continue with the same zeal. However, of late, their bowling has been a bit of a concern. The team is missing the services of Josh Hazlewood dearly, and without him, the bowling unit has looked pale.
The likes of Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been taken to the cleaners in the last 2-3 games, and Lungi Ngidi, too, has been hot and cold. Talking about the spinners, Suyash Sharma has only scalped 5 wickets so far despite playing all the games, and Krunal Pandya has looked good in bits and pieces.
Heading into this crucial contest, RCB will be hoping to get the services of the premier pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a shoulder niggle. He has rejoined the camp after Operation Sindoor’s halt and is expected to feature in this game. If Hazlewood returns, RCB’s bowling unit will become lethal. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head
Matches Played: 35
RCB won: 17
PBKS won: 18
No Result: 0
It’s quite tough to choose between the two sides when it comes to head-to-head battles. Having played 35 games, RCB has won 17, whereas PBKS has one more win to their name, i.e., 18. This season, both teams have collided twice and have won apiece.
Team Analysis: Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru
How will the two teams, i.e., Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fare in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1? Let’s take a look.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Punjab Kings’ biggest headache right now is the fitness concern of Yuzvendra Chahal. The veteran leggie is a vital cog in the bowling unit of PBKS. If he is fit, he should slot straight into the eleven for Vyshak Vijaykumar.
- No changes in the batting unit are expected.
- South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has returned home for WTC Final preparations. He will be replaced by Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.
- If Chahal is fit, he will start as an impact sub when PBKS bowls.
Expected Starting 11
Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak/Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
IMPACT PLAYERS: Prabhsimran Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Tim David missed the last game due to a hamstring injury. If he is fit, he should return to the eleven, replacing Liam Livingstone.
- Josh Hazlewood is seemingly fit and will return to the eleven. He should replace Nuwan Thushara, who was brilliant in the last game.
- Rasikh Dar over Yash Dayal could be an option.
- Rajat Patidar, the regular skipper, will bat as an impact sub yet again.
Expected Starting 11:
IMPACT PLAYERS: Rajat Patidar
Weather Conditions and Pitch Report
Here’s the pitch and weather report for IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, in a table format:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Dry surface with assistance for spinners as the match progresses. Pacers may get early movement. |
| Batting Conditions | Initially good for stroke play, but slower as the game progresses. A score of 170+ could be competitive. |
| Bowling Conditions | Spinners will dominate in the middle overs, while pacers can extract bounce early on. |
| Weather Forecast | Partly cloudy with temperatures ranging between 31-34°C. Humidity is around 41%. |
| Rain Probability | Low chance of rain, but slight delays are possible. |
| Toss Factor | Teams may prefer batting first, considering the pitch slows down later. |
Toss Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru prefer chasing, whereas Punjab Kings don’t mind setting targets. With this being a crucial game, Punjab may look to bat first and score a huge total to put RCB under pressure. Therefore, both captains will play to their strengths.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take place live on the JioHotstar App. TV viewers can watch the match across the Star Sports Network.
PBKS vs RCB: Today’s IPL Match Predictions
The odds and the current form are slightly in favor of Punjab Kings. Both teams will be looking to get into the finals on the first go. As per the odds and current form, PBKS has the upper hand, and we are also backing them to win this fixture. Therefore, as per our IPL prediction, the hosts, Punjab Kings, are expected to win the PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction contest.