Table of Contents
Punjab Kings are set to lock horns against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 playoffs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on May 29. Both teams have had impressive campaigns, finishing as the top two in the league stage with identical win-loss records, but Punjab Kings topped the table due to a slightly better net run rate.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings have embraced a fearless and energetic brand of cricket, with key contributions from their uncapped opening pair and middle-order batters like Marcus Stoinis. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Rajat Patidar and featuring stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, have shown resilience and experience, notably chasing down their highest target of the season in their last league match.
The head-to-head record between these two sides is almost even, with Punjab Kings having 18 wins and RCB 17 in 35 encounters, highlighting the intense rivalry. The Mullanpur pitch has favoured teams batting first in recent matches, suggesting a strategic contest ahead. The winner of this high-stakes clash will secure a direct spot in the IPL 2025 final, while the loser will get another chance in Qualifier 2, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown between two well-matched teams chasing their maiden IPL title.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report:
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, is known for offering a balanced contest between bat and ball, but it generally favors aggressive batting, especially in the early stages of the match. The surface provides good bounce and pace, enabling stroke-makers to play their shots freely, and the quick outfield further rewards well-timed strokes.
While the venue has hosted several high-scoring games this season, with an average first-innings score around 169–173, it has also seen successful defences of lower totals, indicating some unpredictability. Pacers tend to get more assistance early on, while spinners become increasingly effective as the game progresses, particularly in the second half. Teams batting first have enjoyed a slight advantage, especially when posting scores above 170, as defending such totals has proven successful in most cases. Overall, expect a true pitch with good bounce, favouring batters early but offering opportunities for bowlers—especially spinners—as the match wears on.
Mullanpur Weather Report:
The weather forecast for Mullanpur on May 29, 2025, the day of the IPL Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is mostly clear skies. The temperature is expected to be around 35°C (96°F) with low humidity at 41%, making it a hot day. Winds will be blowing from the southeast at about 10 mph, and visibility will be excellent at 10 miles. There is no precipitation expected, indicating a full game of T20 cricket. Overall, conditions are ideal for a night cricket match with minimal chances of weather interruptions.
Also READ: Top 5 players with most runs for a single team in T20 ft. Virat Kohli
PBKS vs RCB: Probable XI and Impact Player
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Impact Player: Rajat Patidar
Also READ: Top 5 highest successful run chases in the history of IPL ft. RCB
