Updated as of April 20, 2025
Match Overview
In a rain-shortened thriller at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18, 2025, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 5 wickets in Match 34 of IPL 2025. Reduced to a 14-over contest due to persistent rain, PBKS chased down RCB’s modest total of 95/9 with 11 balls to spare, propelled by Nehal Wadhera’s explosive 33* (19 balls) 1811.
Key Stats:
- RCB: 95/9 (14 overs) – Tim David 50* (26), Rajat Patidar 23 (18)
- PBKS: 98/5 (12.1 overs) – Nehal Wadhera 33* (19), Josh Hazlewood 3/14
- Result: PBKS won by 5 wickets 1810.
Detailed Scorecard
RCB Batting
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | c. Inglis b. Arshdeep |
| Virat Kohli | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | c. Jansen b. Arshdeep |
| Rajat Patidar | 23 | 18 | 1 | 1 | c. Bartlett b. Chahal |
| Liam Livingstone | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | c. Arya b. Bartlett |
| Tim David | 50* | 26 | 5 | 3 | Not out |
| Others | 13 | 27 | 0 | 0 | Collapse |
Bowling Highlights (PBKS):
- Arshdeep Singh (3-0-23-2): Removed Salt and Kohli early 811.
- Harpreet Brar (2-0-25-2): Took back-to-back wickets in the 11th over 811.
- Marco Jansen (3-0-10-2): Stifled RCB’s middle order with tight lines 810.
PBKS Chase
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prabhsimran Singh | 13 | 9 | 2 | 0 | c. David b. Bhuvneshwar |
| Priyansh Arya | 16 | 11 | 1 | 1 | c. David b. Hazlewood |
| Nehal Wadhera | 33* | 19 | 3 | 3 | Not out |
| Shreyas Iyer | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | c. Sharma b. Hazlewood |
Bowling Highlights (RCB):
- Josh Hazlewood (3-0-14-3): Dismissed Iyer and Inglis in a game-changing 8th over 810.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-0-26-2): Broke PBKS’s opening partnership 11.
Key Moments and Turning Points
- RCB’s Collapse: Reduced to 42/7 in 8.2 overs, RCB’s innings was salvaged only by Tim David’s maiden IPL fifty, including three sixes in the final over 18.
- PBKS’s Middle-Order Resilience: After losing openers early, Wadhera’s 19-ball 33* shifted momentum, including 15 runs off Suyash Sharma’s 9th over 67.
- Hazlewood’s Spell: His double strike in the 8th over (Iyer and Inglis) briefly revived RCB’s hopes 1011.
Upcoming Fixture: PBKS vs RCB (April 20, 2025)
Match 37 Preview:
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur (Chandigarh)
- Time: 3:30 PM IST
- Pitch Report: Balanced surface favoring pacers early and spinners later. Average first-innings score: 167 49.
Team Strategies:
- PBKS: Likely to retain Harpreet Brar (10 wickets in 7 games vs RCB) and target RCB’s middle-order weakness against spin 59.
- RCB: May promote Tim David after his heroics and consider replacing Liam Livingstone with Romario Shepherd 39.
Dream11 Prediction:
- Top Picks: Shreyas Iyer (C), Marco Jansen (VC), Tim David, Arshdeep Singh 9.
- Wildcard: Nehal Wadhera (PBKS) for his recent form 79.
Head-to-Head Stats
- Total Matches: 34
- PBKS Wins: 18 | RCB Wins: 16 49.
- Recent Form: PBKS (WWLWL) vs RCB (LWLWL) 35.
Notable Records:
- Highest Total: RCB 241 (2016) | PBKS 232 (2023) 9.
- Lowest Total: RCB 49 (2017) | PBKS 88 (2020) 9.
Post-Match Reactions
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS Captain): Praised Nehal Wadhera’s composure and Chahal’s wicket-taking ability 710.
- Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): Admitted batting failures but lauded Tim David’s effort 810.
- Tim David (Player of the Match): Highlighted adapting to tricky conditions and RCB’s need to improve at home 1011.
Tactical Analysis
- RCB’s Home Woes: Lost all three home games in 2025 due to poor batting on sticky pitches 110.
- PBKS’s Bowling Depth: Defended 111 vs KKR earlier, showcasing adaptability in low-scoring games 35.
- Impact of Rain: The Bengaluru match’s 14-over format amplified RCB’s aggressive approach, leading to collapse 811.
Conclusion
The PBKS vs RCB rivalry continues to deliver drama, with Punjab holding a psychological edge after their Bengaluru win. As both teams prepare for the Mullanpur clash, RCB’s road dominance (4 away wins) clashes with PBKS’s balanced squad. With playoff spots at stake, expect another tactical battle on April 20, 2025.
