The 37th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 promises a thrilling contest as Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 20. This game carries extra weight, as the two teams recently clashed in a rain-shortened match just two days ago, with Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS emerging victorious by five wickets in a 14-over fixture. Now, both sides are looking to make a stronger statement in a full-length encounter.
Match Details
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Fixture: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 37, IPL 2025
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Date & Time: Sunday, April 20, 2025, 3:30 PM IST
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Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
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Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels | Streaming: JioHotstar (App & Website)
Team Overviews
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
PBKS have had a strong campaign so far. With five wins in seven matches, they’re sitting comfortably at second place on the points table with 10 points and a positive Net Run Rate (0.308). Their batting lineup, led by Nehal Wadhera and Shreyas Iyer, has shown consistency and flair, while their bowling attack has also stepped up in recent games. Having already beaten RCB recently, the team will aim to consolidate their position before enjoying a five-day break.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB, on the other hand, will treat this game as a shot at redemption. While they have four wins under their belt, their performance at home has been disappointing with three consecutive losses. Under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, the team has done well on the road but has lacked consistency overall. With Virat Kohli and Philip Salt at the top, and finishers like Tim David, RCB have the firepower, but execution remains a concern.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 34
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Punjab Kings Wins: 18
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RCB Wins: 16
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Tied: 0
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No Result: 0
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First Meeting: May 5, 2008
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Last Meeting: April 18, 2025 (PBKS won by 5 wickets)
Pitch Report – Mullanpur
The Mullanpur pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, continuing the trend of high-scoring matches this season. Despite a bit of grass in the middle, the surface remains hard and true, providing excellent bounce and pace. Bowlers, especially pacers, will have to stick to hard lengths to get any purchase from the deck. Spinners may find it tough, but someone like Yuzvendra Chahal can still make a difference with flight and variation.
Probable Playing XIs
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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Priyansh Arya
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Nehal Wadhera
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Shreyas Iyer (C)
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Shashank Singh
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Josh Inglis (WK)
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Marcus Stoinis / Glenn Maxwell
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Marco Jansen
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Harpreet Brar
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Xavier Bartlett
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Arshdeep Singh
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
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Philip Salt
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Virat Kohli
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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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Suyash Sharma
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Yash Dayal
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Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal / Manoj Bhandage
Key Players to Watch
Nehal Wadhera (PBKS):
The stylish left-hander has been a revelation this season, scoring 184 runs in six games at an impressive average of 46.00. His unbeaten 33-run knock in the last game helped PBKS clinch victory, and he’ll look to continue his form.
Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS):
After a slow start, Chahal is peaking at the right time. With eight wickets, including a recent four-wicket haul against KKR, he’s become the ace in PBKS’s bowling arsenal.
Virat Kohli (RCB):
Though inconsistent this season, Kohli’s experience and hunger to perform can never be underestimated. In pressure games, he often steps up, and RCB will bank on him to anchor the innings.
Josh Hazlewood (RCB):
On a pitch where hard lengths are key, Hazlewood’s precision can cause trouble for PBKS batters, especially during the powerplay.
Probable Match Scenarios & Prediction
Scenario 1:
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PBKS bat first
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Powerplay Score: 65-75
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Total: 215-230
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Winner: Punjab Kings
Scenario 2:
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RCB bat first
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Powerplay Score: 55-65
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Total: 200-215
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Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Prediction:
The match could go either way, but with their current momentum and depth, Punjab Kings hold a slight edge, especially if they bat first. Expect fireworks with the bat, but it might come down to how the bowlers execute their plans under pressure.
📌 Today’s Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match.
