RCB vs PBKS Player Swaps before the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1

RCB vs PBKS Qualifier 1: The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have had a great season this time around under their newly named skipper Rajat Patidar and a completely reinforced side, with only the likes of veteran Virat Kohli being one of the players from the previous season. 

The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are also a new setup, with Shreyas Iyer as the skipper and a new coaching unit that includes Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, James Hopes, and others. PBKS have never been this successful a side, having made it to the playoffs for the third time in 18 seasons. After the first season in 2008, they were runners-up in 2014, probably their best finish yet.  

The table toppers of this season, RCB and the Punjab Kings, have never managed to win a title, though RCB have had a major impact with their 10th playoff appearance in 18 seasons and have emerged as runners-up on two occasions. Title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer, who won the IPL last season with KKR, will look to secure the cup with a new franchise this season, securing a win straight in the RCB vs PBKS qualifier match.

Tim David is the most seasoned finisher for the Royal Challengers, and the last time these two met this season, David was their best batting inclusion. However, due to a hamstring pull, he has been ruled out of the first playoff game. 

Tim David to miss Qualifier 1

The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will miss the services of their finest all-rounder for the season and second-highest wicket-taker, Marco Jansen. Jansen has been a seasoned wicket-taker with breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game. Yuzvendra Chahal is probably making a comeback post a wrist injury. 

Jansen returns to South Africa for the WTC Final preparation

RCB vs PBKS Qualifier 1: Predicted Playing 11

RCB Probable Playing 11: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar [c], Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone/Tim Seifert, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thusara

Impact Player: Suyash Sharma

PBKS Probable Playing 11: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis, Shreyas Iyer [c], Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson/Aaron Hardie, Harpreet Brar and Arshdeep Singh

Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal

RCB vs PBKS Qualifier 1: Best Performers in IPL 2025

RCB has had their best player in Virat Kohli, not surprising anyone, as the batter has 608 runs in this edition, having batted in 13 innings with a decent strike rate of 147.91. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, is not only a magical skipper for PBKS but also has been their highest run-getter for the season with 514 runs at a strike rate of 171.90. 

The likes of Phil Salt (331) and Jitesh Sharma (237) for RCB and Prabhsimran Singh (499), Priyansh Arya (424) and Nehal Wadhera (298) for PBKS have also been in fine form in this IPL season. 

The highest wicket-taker for the season for RCB has been Josh Hazlewood (18 wickets), followed by Krunal Pandya (15 wickets), while for PBKS, Arshdeep Singh (18 wickets) and Marco Jansen (16 wickets) have had considerable success for the season.   

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