IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1 - Fantasy Cricket Tips, Key Players, Probable XIs, Captain, Vice-Captain & More

Preview:

The IPL 2025 has reached its final stages and the top two teams of the season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru,(RCB), will face each other in the first qualifier at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on May 29. Both the teams had a great season so far and are among the favourites to lift their maiden IPL title this year. PBKS have qualified into the playoffs after 11 years while RCB made into the top-two for the first time after 2016.

Ahead of their clash in the playoffs, PBKS and RCB met twice in the league stage this year with both teams winning one game each. Now, looking for their maiden title, both PBKS and RCB are now just a win away from getting into the final. However, the losing team will also get another chance in the qualifier two. Let’s have a look at fantasy cricket tips, pitch report, probable XIs, captain, vice captain and more ahead of the PBKS versus RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1.

PBKS vs RCB Match Details

PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Stats & Records

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other 35 times in the IPL history so far. Out of these 35 matches, PBKS won 18 times while RCB defeated them on 17 occasions.

PBKS vs RCB Pitch Report

The newly-constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh provides an equal contest for both the batters and the bowlers. Out of eight IPL matches played at this ground so far, the team batting first five times while the chasing team came out victorious on four occasions. The average score at this ground is around 170 runs.

PBKS vs RCB Probable Playing XIs

PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh

Impact player: Yuzvendra Chahal

RCB: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Impact player: Rajat Patidar

PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Full Squads

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Azmatullah Omarzai, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash

PBKS's Last Five Matches: Performance

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Blessing Muzarabani

RCB's Last Five Matches: Performance

PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Top Captain and Vice Captain Picks

PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Top Players to pick

Shreyas Iyer: PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has been a key performer this year and has played a crucial role in helping the franchise to qualify for the playoffs after 11 years. Iyer also led from the front with bat this year amassing 514 runs from 14 matches at an average of 51.40 and a strike rate of 171.90.

Arshdeep Singh: PBKS fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been among the leading wicket takers of the season. He has been a constant performer for RCB and scalped wickets in almost every game this season. The left-arm pacer has taken 18 wickets from 14 matches in IPL 2025.

Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh Sharma turned out to be the star performer as RCB registered a thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants to enter the top-two. He came up with an unbeaten 85*(33) runs and guided RCB to qualifier one. He has scored 237 runs from 13 matches this year at a strike rate of 171.73.

Josh Hazlewood: RCB fans will be getting a big relief as their star pacer Josh Hazlewood is back for the playoffs and is set to play in the first qualifier against PBKS. He has been among the leading wicket-takers of the season taking 18 wickets from 10 matches in IPL 2025

PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: Players to avoid

Yash Thakur: Yash Thakur has played only a few matches this year but hasn’t been able to make any impact. Now, as PBKS are set to play in the qualifier one, Yash is unlikely to get a chance in the playing XI against RCB.

Nuwan Thusara: With Josh Hazlewood set to play in the qualifier one for RCB, Nuwan Thusara is likely to be benched in the upcoming match

PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Fantasy Team (Grand League)

Wicketkeepers: Philip Salt

Batters: Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli

All-Rounders: Marcus stoinis, Krunal Pandya

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Fantasy Team (Head-To-Head)

Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, Philip Salt, Prabhsimran Singh

Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis, 

Bowlers: Arshadeep Singh, Harpeet Brar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Click Here: PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction

Disclaimer: The fantasy tips and facts expressed within this article are the author's personal opinions. They do not reflect the views of SportsTiger. It is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.