The stage is set for a thrilling clash as Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 37 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on April 20. Both teams have had strong campaigns so far, making this a crucial encounter in the race for playoff spots.
Punjab Kings currently sit comfortably in second place on the points table, having won five out of their seven games this season. On the other hand, RCB occupy the fourth spot with four wins from seven outings, looking to climb higher in the standings.
When these two sides last met earlier this season, Punjab had the upper hand. In that match, Nehal Wadhera played a crucial knock of 33 runs to guide PBKS to a five-wicket win. For RCB, Tim David was the standout performer, scoring a gritty 50, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory.
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The head-to-head record between the two sides is as balanced as it gets. In 34 previous IPL encounters, both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won 17 games each, adding another layer of intensity to this much-anticipated clash. Expect fireworks in Mullanpur.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Lockie Ferguson remains sidelined with injury and is expected to miss the rest of the IPL 2025 season. In his absence, Punjab Kings brought in Harpreet Brar during their last clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru — a strategic call against a right-handed heavy RCB batting lineup. The left-arm spinner delivered, picking up two wickets, and now boasts 10 scalps in seven games against RCB at a tidy economy rate of 7.71.
Yuzvendra Chahal has also been effective against right-handers since IPL 2024, claiming 18 wickets from 279 deliveries at an economy of 8.19, with a 31% dot ball rate.
Probable XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis(wk), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Shreyas Iyer has been exceptional against spin this season, maintaining a strike rate of 186.79 without being dismissed even once in over 50 balls faced. However, Krunal Pandya has managed to keep Iyer quiet, conceding just 41 runs off 46 balls and dismissing him once — a matchup worth watching.
Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Philip Salt (vc), Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Yuzvendra Chahal
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Philip Salt, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli (c), Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Marco Jansen (VC), Krunal Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
