Punjab Kings pulled off a win in a rain-affected match, with the delay adding extra drama to the game. With only 14 overs per side and just an hour for each inning, the action was a fast and furious match of RCB vs PBKS. The teams had to get creative, planning their bowling strategies carefully, with each bowler limited to four overs. No Strategic Timeouts meant it was all about quick thinking and on-the-spot decisions. Under the floodlights, the match kicked off with a four-over powerplay, setting the stage for a nail-biting contest full of smart moves and unforgettable moments.
Teams for RCB vs PBKS
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is all set with a star-studded lineup featuring the ever-dynamic Virat Kohli, the exciting Phil Salt, and the experienced Rajat Patidar leading the charge as captain.
- They’ve also got heavy hitters like Liam Livingstone, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, power-hitter Tim David, all-rounder Krunal Pandya, plus seasoned bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Suyash Sharma rounding off the squad.
- On the bench, they’ve got some rising stars like Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, and Swapnil Singh waiting for their chance to shine.
- On the flip side, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have a solid team led by captain Shreyas Iyer.
- With talents like Priyansh Arya, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, PBKS is all set for action. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis and the impressive Marco Jansen bring versatility, while Yuzvendra Chahal, Xavier Bartlett, and Arshdeep Singh add some serious firepower in the bowling department.
- The impact player list is stacked with Prabhsimran Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, and Pravin Dubey, all ready to make their mark when called upon.
First Inning of RCB vs PBKS
- RCB’s Phil Salt sparked things off with a boundary, but then Arshdeep Singh struck early, sending Virat Kohli packing for just 1 run.
- From there, RCB’s batting order crumbled like a house of cards.
- By the time the fifth wicket fell in the fifth over, RCB was reeling at a mere 33, the lowest fifth-wicket score in IPL 2025.
- Captain Rajat Patidar tried to steady the ship with a gritty 23 off 18 balls, but Yuzvendra Chahal had other plans, sending him back.
- By the ninth over, RCB was in deep trouble at 43/7. Tim David stepped up as the lone warrior, but with no partners left, it seemed like a lost cause.
- Enter Harpreet Brar, who added fuel to the fire by picking up two quick wickets, leaving RCB at a near-dismal 63/9.
- But wait, Tim David wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. He launched a brilliant counterattack, smashing three back-to-back sixes off Brar to notch his first-ever TATA IPL fifty.
- David’s fiery knock of 50 off just 26 balls carried RCB to a respectable 95/9 in their 14 overs.
Second Inning of RCB vs PBKS
- In Punjab Kings’ chase for 96, things got off to a rocky start during Powerplay 1, where they managed just 33 runs and lost 2 wickets in the first four overs.
- Prabhsimran Singh was brought in as the Impact Player for Yuzvendra Chahal during RCB’s innings at the 13.6 overs mark, adding a fresh face to the PBKS attack.
- They reached 50 runs in 6.6 overs, using 42 balls and a couple of extras to boost their total.
- The opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya started off steady, putting up 12/0 in two overs.
- Arya followed with a cheeky six off Josh Hazlewood, but was caught off the very next ball. By the time Powerplay ended, PBKS were 33/2.
- Skipper Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis tried to steady the ship, but Hazlewood came back with a vengeance in the eighth over, getting rid of both Iyer and Inglis, and reigniting RCB’s hopes.
- Enter Nehal Wadhera, who decided to take matters into his own hands, smashing Suyash Sharma for two sixes and two fours in the ninth and 11th overs, easing the pressure.
- With only 17 runs needed from the last three overs, Bhuvneshwar struck again, removing Shashank Singh.
- But Wadhera wasn’t done, hitting another six and a four in the 12th over.
- Finally, Marcus Stoinis sealed the deal with a boundary, and PBKS cruised to victory with 11 balls to spare, marking their second consecutive win and moving up to second place with five wins from seven matches.
Where to Watch IPL 2025
JioHotstar: https://www.hotstar.com/in/sports
Result
Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a nail-biting win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Tim David’s fiery 50* off 26 balls for RCB was impressive, but it was PBKS’ team effort, spearheaded by Nehal Wadhera, that secured the victory. This win marked PBKS’ second consecutive triumph, shooting them up to second place on the points table. With their strategic play and solid teamwork, PBKS have proven to be a strong force this season, now boasting and cementing their reputation as serious contenders.
