NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings (PBKS) return home brimming with confidence after clinically dismantling Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rain-shortened clash at the Chinnaswamy just two days ago. But as both sides gear up for the rematch in Match No. 37 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, the stakes are significantly higher.
With five wins in eight matches, PBKS are sitting pretty in second place. Another win here would further solidify their playoff push. RCB, on the other hand, despite a strong start to the season, now find themselves slipping to fourth after back-to-back losses. They'll be desperate to stop the slide and regain momentum on what promises to be a spin-friendly track in Chandigarh.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In Saturday’s 14-over rain-affected clash, PBKS executed their plans to perfection. Their bowlers, led by Marco Jansen (2/10), Yuzvendra Chahal, and Harpreet Brar, skittled RCB for just 95. Arshdeep Singh’s early double strike -- including the prized wicket of Virat Kohli -- set the tone.
While RCB showed brief resistance through Tim David’s unbeaten 50, it wasn’t enough to mask a middle-order collapse. Punjab chased down the target with 11 balls to spare, thanks to a calm, match-winning knock from Nehal Wadhera, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 19.
Wadhera, still new to IPL stardom, is now pushing for a regular middle-order spot -- especially with Shashank Singh and Josh Inglis yet to find form.
RCB will want to brush off that defeat quickly, knowing they simply didn’t show up with the bat. Josh Hazlewood (3/14) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/26) were bright spots with the ball, but RCB's batting fragility -- especially in the Powerplay -- has become a pattern.
Phil Salt’s explosive starts haven’t lasted, while Kohli’s dismissal for just 1 in the last outing raised eyebrows. Captain Rajat Patidar is yet to truly stamp his authority, despite crossing 1000 IPL runs last game. They’ll hope Tim David can carry his late-innings form into a more prominent role.
The big question for RCB is whether they stick with the same XI or ring in changes -- especially in spin, where PBKS clearly held the edge.
The pitch in New Chandigarh is expected to play slow and low, especially in the second innings. Spinners have traditionally found grip here, making Harpreet Brar and Chahal crucial for Punjab. RCB, meanwhile, will likely rely on Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya to counter.
If dew stays away in the evening, expect the toss to play a big role -- with both captains eyeing a chance to bowl first and exploit the early tackiness.
PBKS vs RCB: Pitch Report
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium has favored spinners and slower bowlers this season. The dry surface tends to hold up, especially in the evening games, and scoring in the second innings hasn’t been easy. Anything above 160 could be competitive.
PBKS vs RCB Predicted XI
Punjab Kings XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Sub: Xavier Bartlett
Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma
PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head
- Matches played: 34
- PBKS wins: 18
- RCB wins: 16
PBKS vs RCB Weather Forecast for Chandigarh
A warm and dry evening is expected with temperatures hovering around 34°C at match time. Humidity could rise slightly, but there’s no rain on the radar. Conditions should remain stable for the full 40 overs.
PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Livestream and Broadcast
Catch the match live on Star Sports Network on TV, with live streaming on JioHotstar from 3:30 PM IST.
PBKS vs RCB Squads
RCB squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara
PBKS squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (w), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Yash Thakur, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Harpreet Brar, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash
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