PBKS vs RCB Head to Head: After a hard-fought victory over Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings have advanced to the IPL 2025 final, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
PBKS secured a five-wicket win in Qualifier 2, chasing 204 runs, powered by Shreyas Iyer’s notable 87-run knock. RCB, on the other hand, dominated Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, chasing 102 runs in just 10 overs.
In this article, we cover the head-to-head record between the two finalists, their past final performances, and the key players who could lead their teams to the IPL trophy. Let’s dive in.
PBKS vs RCB Head to Head Records
PBKS and RCB have faced each other in 36 IPL matches, with both teams winning 18 matches each, making their head-to-head record perfectly balanced.
In IPL 2025, the two teams played twice. On April 18 in Bengaluru, Punjab Kings won by five wickets, chasing 196 runs with ease. However, in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur, RCB dominated, chasing 102 runs in just 10 overs to secure an eight-wicket victory.
Performance at Narendra Modi Stadium
At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB won their only match against Punjab Kings in 2024, chasing 177 runs to win by four wickets.
PBKS, however, have a slight edge in neutral venues, winning three out of five matches against RCB historically.
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Past Final Performances
Neither team has won an IPL title. PBKS, then known as Kings XI Punjab, reached the final in 2014 but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets after failing to defend 199 runs.
RCB has reached the IPL final three times – in 2009, 2011, and 2016 – but lost all three.
RCB’s dominant Qualifier 1 performance in 2025 reflects their playoff strength and confidence, while Punjab Kings’ 2014 final loss highlighted issues in defending totals.
However, under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, PBKS have transformed, entering their first IPL final since 2014 with confidence.
Key Players for Punjab Kings
- Shreyas Iyer: A pivotal player, Iyer has scored 601 runs this season, including an unbeaten 87 in Qualifier 2 at a strike rate of 171. His captaincy and batting will be crucial for Punjab Kings in the final.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: With 19 wickets this season, Chahal’s spin bowling suits the Ahmedabad pitch, where he can exploit the middle overs effectively.
- Arshdeep Singh: Taking 18 wickets this season, Arshdeep’s death-over bowling will be vital for Punjab Kings to restrict RCB’s batting lineup.
Key Players for RCB
- Josh Hazlewood: With 21 wickets this season, including a standout 3/21 in Qualifier 1, Hazlewood’s pace bowling could challenge Punjab Kings’ batting in the final.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli has amassed 614 runs this season, including eight fifties, though his strike rate has been modest. His 73-run knock against PBKS in Mullanpur, earning him Player of the Match, underscores his importance. A measured approach could make him a game-changer.
- Faf du Plessis: A key batter for RCB, du Plessis scored 56 runs off 27 balls in Qualifier 1 and holds the record for the fastest 1,000 IPL runs in 576 balls, making him a vital asset.
