RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, standing in as captain, announced one change in the playing XI, bringing in Romario Shepherd in place of Liam Livingstone. Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, have gone unchanged and will look to capitalize on home conditions.
Toss Update:
- Toss Winner: Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Decision: Elected to bowl first
- Venue: Mullanpur, Mohali
- Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
Patidar said at the toss, “The pitch looks good for bowling first. We back ourselves to chase, and with some dew expected later, it’s the right call. We’ve brought in Romario to give us that finishing punch and extra pace.”
RCB vs PBKS – Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Suyash Sharma
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Marco Jansen
- Xavier Bartlett
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs PBKS
In the history of the IPL, RCB and PBKS have faced off 34 times, with Punjab Kings narrowly leading the rivalry.
- RCB Wins: 16
- PBKS Wins: 18
Despite the head-to-head tilt favoring Punjab, RCB will be eager to bounce back after a narrow loss in their previous clash. With the tournament entering its mid-phase, both teams find themselves in a must-win situation to stay in playoff contention.
Key Match Insights:
- RCB’s Recent Form: Inconsistent, with bowling proving to be a concern.
- PBKS Outlook: A strong batting lineup, but middle-order stability remains an issue.
- Players to Watch:
- Virat Kohli – In form, leads the tournament’s run charts.
- Josh Inglis – Known for explosive starts, key to PBKS top-order success.
- Romario Shepherd – A wildcard entry for RCB, adds both pace and power hitting.
Pitch & Weather Report:
The surface at Mullanpur has historically assisted batters in the first half, with the second innings becoming easier due to dew. Expect pace bowlers to extract early movement, while spinners might find some grip in the middle overs.
Both franchises are hovering near the mid-table and looking for consistency. A win today could provide a crucial momentum shift going into the final leg of the tournament. PBKS aims to break their home jinx, while RCB is desperate to reclaim its rhythm under new leadership.
