PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 Team News, Pitch Report, Squad, Fantasy Teams

We are into the business end of the Tata IPL 2025. After 70 league games, the tournament has reached its playoff stage, and we are ready for the first qualifier. Table toppers Punjab Kings will be going on a collision course against second-placed Royal Challengers in the first qualifier at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

The teams that finish among the top two in the points table get more than one opportunity to make it to the finals. The winner of this game will enter the finals scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. However, the loser will get one more crack at the final, as they will face the winner of the Eliminator game scheduled between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians at Mullanpur on 30th May. The winner of the Eliminator will square off against the loser of Qualifier 1, whereas the loser will be eliminated.

With a lot at stake for both teams, expect a cracker of a game at Mullanpur. Who will make it to the finals first? We’ll get the answers tomorrow.

Let’s delve deeper into this post for the PBKS vs RCB Dream11 prediction.

PBKS vs RCB: Match Details

Date: 29th May 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 35
RCB won: 17
PBKS won: 18
No Result: 0
Tied: 0

Picking a favorite between RCB and PBKS isn’t easy, as their head-to-head record remains closely contested. Out of their 35 encounters, Punjab Kings hold a slight edge with 18 wins, while Royal Challengers Bangalore have secured 17 victories. In IPL 2025, they’ve faced each other twice, with both teams winning one match each.

PBKS vs RCB, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Pitch Report

The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, is known for its batting-friendly surface, often producing high-scoring encounters. However, recent matches have shown that spinners gain an advantage as the game progresses, making middle-over bowling crucial. Pacers can extract early movement, especially under overcast conditions, but the dry nature of the pitch favors slow bowlers later in the innings.

Teams batting first have generally performed better, with an average first-innings score of around 167. While stroke play is encouraged early on, the surface tends to slow down, making chasing tricky. With partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 31-34°C, conditions will be warm, but dew is unlikely to play a major role in this fixture. Expect a competitive battle between bat and ball, where adaptability will be key for both PBKS and RCB.

Here are some key IPL stats for the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh:

PBKS vs RCB Team News and Expected Playing XI

PBKS Team News

• Marco Jansen has departed for WTC Final preparations, paving the way for Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai to take his place.
• Punjab Kings’ batting lineup is expected to remain unchanged, keeping stability in their top-order strategy.
• Yuzvendra Chahal’s fitness remains a critical concern for PBKS, as his presence would significantly bolster their bowling attack.
• If Chahal is declared fit, he is likely to slot directly into the playing XI, replacing Vyshak Vijaykumar.
• In the event of his availability, Chahal is expected to be utilized as an impact substitute during PBKS’s bowling innings.

PBKS Expected Playing XI: 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

RCB Team News

• Josh Hazlewood is set to make his return, replacing Nuwan Thushara despite the latter’s impressive performance in the last match.
• There are concerns over the availability of Phil Salt, as he was expected to return home for the birth of his first child with his girlfriend. If he returns home, Tim Seifert will take his spot in the eleven and open alongside Virat Kohli.
• If cleared to play, Tim David will likely slot back into the lineup, taking over for Liam Livingstone.
• The team management might consider Rasikh Dar as an alternative to Yash Dayal.
• Rajat Patidar is expected to continue in his role as an impact substitute during the batting innings.

RCB Expected Playing XI: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone/Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal/Rasikh Dar Salam, Nuwan Thushara/Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
IMPACT PLAYERS: Rajat Patidar

Who Will Win PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1?

As per the betting odds provided by most of the bettors, the hosts, Punjab Kings, are tipped as the favorites to win this match.

Where to watch PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1?

The all-important clash between the Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take place on Thursday, May 29, at 07:30 PM (IST). Online live streaming will take place on the JioHotstar app. The TV streaming will take place on Star Sports Network.

PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Fantasy Team

Wicket-keepers: Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Inglis, Phil Salt
Batters: Virat Kohli, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer
All-Rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar

C/VC Options- Phil Salt, Priyansh Arya, Virat Kohli, Prabhsimran Singh