The Indian Premier League 2025 is heating up as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match No. 34 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18, with the action kicking off at 7:30 PM (IST). This fixture promises to be a cracker as both sides are currently tied on points, with four wins and two losses each from their six matches so far.
Match Details
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Fixture: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings, Match 34
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Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
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Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
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Time: 7:30 PM IST
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Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels
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Streaming: JioHotstar (app & website)
Team Overview
RCB currently sit at No. 3 on the points table, just above PBKS due to a superior net run rate. The Bengaluru franchise heads into this clash brimming with confidence after an emphatic nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals. Chasing 174, the RCB top order, led by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, made light work of the target, sealing the victory with 15 balls to spare. The bowling was economical, with Krunal Pandya standing out.
On the other hand, PBKS pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far by defending just 112 runs against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, setting a record for the lowest total successfully defended in IPL history. Yuzvendra Chahal (4 wickets) and Marco Jansen (3 wickets) were the heroes in a low-scoring thriller.
Pitch Report – M Chinnaswamy Stadium
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly surface and short boundaries. So far this season, teams chasing have had a significant advantage, with both matches played here being won by the chasing side. Dew in the second innings could play a key role, making it easier for batters to chase down totals. A first-innings score of 200-plus might be essential for teams batting first.
Head-to-Head Record
| Total Matches | RCB Wins | PBKS Wins | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 16 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
PBKS have a slight edge over RCB historically, having won 17 of their 33 meetings. However, with both teams in good form, the head-to-head numbers might not be as relevant in this high-stakes clash.
Predicted Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
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Virat Kohli
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Phil Salt
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Devdutt Padikkal
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Rajat Patidar (C)
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Liam Livingstone
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Jitesh Sharma (WK)
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Tim David
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Krunal Pandya
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar
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Josh Hazlewood
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Yash Dayal
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Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
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Priyansh Arya
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Prabhsimran Singh
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Shreyas Iyer (C)
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Josh Inglis (WK)
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Nehal Wadhera
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Glenn Maxwell
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Shashank Singh
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Marco Jansen
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Xavier Bartlett
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Arshdeep Singh
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Impact Player: Suryansh Shedge
Key Players to Watch
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Phil Salt (RCB) – The Englishman has been in brilliant touch with the bat, scoring 208 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 185.72. His explosive starts have been crucial for RCB.
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Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – After a slow start, Chahal bounced back with a four-wicket haul in the last match. His experience at Chinnaswamy could be vital.
Probable Match Scenarios
Scenario 1:
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RCB win toss and bowl
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PBKS PP: 55–65
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PBKS Total: 200–210
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RCB win the match
Scenario 2:
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PBKS win toss and bowl
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RCB PP: 65–75
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RCB Total: 205–215
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PBKS win the match
Match Prediction
Given the venue and past results, the team bowling first holds a clear advantage. With dew likely to come in later, chasing becomes easier. While both teams are evenly matched, RCB’s stronger top order and home advantage may slightly tilt the game in their favor if they bowl first.
Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match
