RCB make it five out five in away games
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 159 for 3 (Kohli 73*, Padikkal 61) beat Punjab Kings 157 for 6 (Prabhsimran 33, Shashank 31*, Krunal 2-25, Suyash 2-26) by seven wickets
Another away game, another Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win; their fifth in five matches and this one has taken them to ten points and third on the points table. Less than 48 hours after going down at home, RCB went up north to Mullanpur and exacted revenge from Punjab Kings (PBKS) in comprehensive fashion.
Sent into bat, the RCB bowlers hardly gave away anything as PBKS were restricted to 156 for 7. In reply, the chasemaster Virat Kohli was at it again as he recorded his 67th fifty-plus score in the IPL, the most for any batter. Devdutt Padikkal also recorded his first IPL fifty in 22 innings as RCB romped home with seven balls to spare and by seven wickets.
RCB had no hesitation in bowling on what Rajat Patidar called a “decent” surface. For the first six overs, it seemed that it was more than just decent as PBKS smashed 62 in the powerplay with Prabhsimran Singh going big.
Then the RCB spinners came to the fore, and it was one-way traffic thereon. Krunal Pandya picked 2 for 25 in his four overs, Suyash Sharma returned 2 for 26 as RCB put a lid on the scoring in the middle overs. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar then put on a death bowling masterclass, hardly giving PBKS an inch.
In the chase, Arshdeep Singh got Phil Salt for the fourth time in T20s, but Kohli and Padikkal added 103 off 69 balls for the second wicket to keep RCB on track. Even as Padikkal and Patidar fell, Kohli held his own to remain unbeaten on 73 off 54 as RCB kept their 100% away record intact.
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Kohli, Patidar push RCB closer
It could have been calamitous. Kohli pulled a short of a length Arshdeep delivery to deep midwicket. Kohli was sprinting down for a second run, but Patidar wasn't going anywhere. Both batters stranded at the same end, but Shashank Singh fumbled and then sent a weak throw. Iyer still had a lot of time to hunt down the stumps at the non-striker's end, but he missed. Kohli is not happy with Patidar.
The argument seems to have fired up Kohli, who smashes the next delivery over point for four before going six and four against Chahal in the 17th over. Patidar falls with the target just 15 away, but this should be a walk in the park for RCB hereon.
The win probability after 17 overs: RCB 92.85% • PBKS 7.15%
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Another record for Kohli
The chasemaster is at it again, and he has taken RCB on the cusp of a fifth straight win on the road. It's just amazing how Kohli times his chases, especially these middling ones. He's hit five fours so far in his knock, and all five came in the powerplay. Since then, Kohli has been content with taking the singles, rotating the strike and handing the strike back to the more aggressive Padikkal. He just knows the scoring rate, runs to get, when to attack and when to hold himself back. With the fifty off 43 balls, Kohli has added another feather to his cap. This is his 67th 50-plus score in the IPL, the most for any player in the IPL. He's just gone past Warner for the record.
67 Number of 50-plus scores for Kohli in the IPL, the most for any batter
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What does the forecaster say?
Padikkal is looking as good as he has all season. The ball is pinging off his blade much more fluently and he also looks much more confident. As he reaches his maiden IPL 2025 fifty and a first in 22 IPL innings, it is no surprise that the forecaster is heavily in favour of RCB at the halfway stage. In fact, this is Padikkal's first fifty since IPL 2022 and he gets a high-five from Kohli as he pushes the ball to long-on for the run that takes him to a 30-ball fifty.
Win Probability after 10.2 overs: RCB 94.08% • PBKS 5.92%
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Can Chahal break the game open?
Yuzvendra Chahal showed signs of returning to his best and has picked up six wickets in his last two matches after a quiet start to the season. He’s gone back to what he does best: give the ball air and deceive batters with flight and dip. He picked 4 for 28 against KKR and then had a sensational three-over spell against RCB on Friday, where he picked 2 for 11.
Padikkal, though, is adamant not to let Chahal settle down. He goes down the track first ball and slams him over long-on. Can Chahal bounce back? Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, is off the field as he is not feeling well. Marcus Stoinis is leading the side in his absence.
Chahal in IPL 2025: First five innings: Wkts – 2, Econ–11.1 | Last 2 innings: Wkts–6, Econ–5.6
8 Number of four-plus wicket hauls for Chahal in the IPL, the joint-most for any bowler
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An all-run four!
It's happened for the second time in IPL 2025, but the first time it was off an overthrow. Padikkal flicks Arshdeep through midwicket. The fielder from deep square leg sprints to his left and sticks out his boot to save the four. But that is larger part of the boundary and Kohli and Padikkal end up running four. Sampath says that this is the 13th all-run four in IPL history.
RCB have meanwhile been solid in the powerplay after the loss of Salt's wicket. They have managed at least a boundary in each over of the powerplay, and that's all RCB need in a middling chase.
RCB dominate the powerplay
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Arshdeep gets rid of Salt twice in under 48 hours
A fourth time in 32 deliveries in all T20s. He gets him with a screeching short of a length ball outside off. Salt attempts a pull but can only get a thick edge to the keeper and PBKS have that early wicket. After managing just one wicket in the powerplay in his first six matches, Arshdeep made a strong comeback by dismissing both Kohli and Salt in the last game in the powerplay. Now, he's sent Salt back one more time.
4 Number of times Arshdeep has dismissed Salt in all T20s
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Kohli vs PBKS: A match made in heaven
Virat Kohli has a great record against Punjab Kings in the IPL. He has scored three 50-plys scores in the last four innings against them, and the only failure was in the last game where he fell for 1. He has scored at least 20 against them in eight out of the last ten innings. In all, Kohli has scored 1031 runs against PBKS in the IPL and has scored five fifties and a century.
He starts strong again, pulling Arshdeep Singh first ball through midwicket. This is a chase tailor-made for Kohli. Can he help RCB make it five out of five in away games?
133 Kohli's strike rate against PBKS in the IPL
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PBKS finish on 157 for 6
An all-round bowling show from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) saw them restrict Punjab Kings (PBKS) to only 157 for 6 in Mullanpur. Less than 48 hours after these two teams played a game in Bengaluru, they were back at it up north.
RCB won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling first on what Rajat Patidar said was a "decent" surface. PBKS were off to a flying start in the powerplay with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh going big. After a two-run opening over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the duo smashed seven fours and a six in the next three overs.
However, the change of pace brought RCB back and how. Krunal Pandya first induced a top-edge off Arya’s blade with Tim David taking a simple catch at mid-on. Prabhsimran went six and four against Josh Hazlewood in the sixth over to end the powerplay on a high. But it was all RCB thereon.
Prabhsimran failed to clear long-on first ball after the powerplay and was caught by David at long-on. Shreyas Iyer, who had three fifty-plus and four sub-ten scores in seven innings coming into this game, suffered another failure. He was dismissed by Romario Shepherd, with Krunal taking a stunning catch haring to his left from long-on.
Nehal Wadhera was needlessly run out, while Suyash Sharma then picked two wickets in an over as PBKS slipped to 114 for 6 in the 14th over. PBKS only managed 67 runs in the middle overs and lost five wickets.
Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen tried their best to go big in the death, but Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood did not give them an inch. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, RCB landed eight yorkers in the last four overs. Jansen and Shashank were not dismissed but could only manage 28 runs. Jansen smashed a six to end the innings, but RCB will be the happier side going into the break.
8 Number of yorkers RCB bowled in the death overs
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RCB's middle overs charge
They conceded 62 in the powerplay and picked only a wicket. At the time, it seemed as if the Mullanpur surface was a belter and RCB would be looking at a 200-plus chase comfortably. But the visitors have stormed back emphatically. PBKS have only managed 67 runs and lost five wickets between overs seven to 17(!). That's a run rate of only 6.7. They could only manage three fours and two sixes in these ten overs.
RCB, through their spinners mainly, have come back really strongly and will now want to finish well.
RCB rule the middle overs
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Suyash off; Padikkal in
Suyash Sharma has had an excellent evening where he's gone for only 26 off his four overs and picked two wickets. He's done for the day and is off with Padikkal coming in as the impact player.
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RCB spinners ruling the roost
Coming into the game, it was all about RCB pacers and how they've blunted oppositions. Their spinners had limited impact, having picked only 12 wickets, the second-fewest out of all teams. That's changed today. Krunal Pandya picked the first two wickets and now it's Suyash Sharma's time to shine and he has the Australians in his sights. He first gets rid of Josh Inglis, who backs away and misses and sees his stumps in a mess. He then gets rid of Marcus Stoinis with a stunning googly that rattled the stumps once more.
PBKS have now lost 28 wickets in the middle overs in IPL 2025, the joint-most.
Suyash's third over:
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Shashank Singh's troubles
Barring the two scores of 53* (36) against Chennai Super Kings and 44* (16) against Gujarat Titans, Shashank Singh has hardly had an impact, managing scores of 1, 18, 2, 10 in the other four games. He has often come at the backend, and not had a chance to settle in. This provides him one chance to get his eye in and go big. He has fallen to pace all four times and has a strike rate of 118.60 against them in IPL 2025. Against spin though, he's struck at 146.66 and is yet to be dismissed. With Krunal and Suyash bowling the middle overs, Shashank will want to cash in.
0 Shashank Singh hasn't fallen to spin so far in IPL 2025
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PBKS' middle-order woes continue
The wickets continue to tumble and RCB are now firmly on top. PBKS have now lost 3 for 14 in 17 balls. The latest wicket coming in the form of a needless run out. Inglis punched Suyash down the ground and ambled through for a run. Wadhera sprints back for a second only to realise that Inglis is not even looking at him. Both batters stranded at the same end and an easy run out ensues.
To be fair, think there was an easy second had Inglis responded. PBKS have already lost 26 wickets in the middle overs so far in IPL 2025, which is the fourth-most.
26 Wickets lost by PBKS in the middle overs in IPL 2025
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Another sub-10 score for Iyer
Punjab Kings were off to a flyer, but it's all gone mellow since. PBKS ended their powerplay on 62 for 1. Prabhsimran was 33 off 16 and Iyer had just come in. The first ball after the powerplay, Prabhsimran looks to clear long-on, but fails to do so and David takes his second catch of the match. Shepherd, playing his first game of the season, then creates an immediate impact, getting rid of Iyer for 6 off ten balls. He was looking to go straight and didn't get enough timing. Krunal hares to his left from long-on and takes a stunning catch.
PBKS are 70 for 3 after eight overs
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Shreyas Iyer: all or nothing
Arya's fun ends on 22 off 15 as he top-edges Krunal Pandya straight up. And here comes Shreyas Iyer, the captain. He is PBKS’ leading run-scorer so far this season, but it’s been a weird season for Iyer. In seven innings, he has three 50-plus scores and four scores below 10. His strike rate has increased from 147 in IPL 2024 to 194 in IPL 2025, but the consistency is something that Iyer will want to improve. He was dismissed by a Hazlewood jaffa on Friday and will want to make amends at home.
Iyer nearly falls for another sub-10 score chipping Krunal back but the ball was juuuust short.
194 Iyer's strike rate in IPL 2025
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Prabhsimran-Arya quick off the blocks
The match-ups are not favouring Bhuvi today, and Prabhsimran and Arya have gotten off to a bit of a flyer. On first glance, this pitch looks an absolute belter. Not a lot of seam movement, not a lot of swing and the hit-through-the-line shots are coming off nicely. After a two-run first over, Arya goes after Yash Dayal and plays a pick-up pull over deep square leg ala Sanath Jayasuriya in his prime. Another pitched up delivery is driven past mid-off before Prabhsimran picks up pace. He gets a fortuitous boundary first up past short third before going after Bhuvneshwar three times in the third over.
Even Hazlewood isn't spared. Arya gets across and belts him over mid-on before unleashing a square drive in front of point.
PBKS have raced to 31 for 0 after three overs.
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Bhuvi vs Prabhsmiran
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a stellar match-up against Prabhsimran Singh. He has dismissed the batter four times in 30 balls in T20 cricket, and will want to make that five today. Prabhsimran has scored 47 runs at a strike rate of 156.66. But the wickets are all that will matter to Bhuvi. He will bowl to Arya first up, here.
4 Number of times Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed Prabhsimran Singh in all T20s
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Can bat-first Arya go big?
Batting first has been his thing this season, and Arya will be quietly glad that RCB chose to bowl. Arya has scored 232 runs in seven innings this season. But, 208 of those have come batting first, averaging 52 at a strike rate of 231. He averages just 8.00 batting second, and his strike rate dips to 114. He will want to leave a mark now that PBKS are batting.
231 Priyansh Arya's strike rate batting first in IPL 2025
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RCB bring in Shepherd for Livingstone and bowl
Toss Royal Challengers Bengaluru chose to bowl vs Punjab Kings
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar called correctly and had no hesitations in bowling in the afternoon game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur.
He confirmed of the one change in the RCB side which was bringing in allrounder Romario Shepherd in place of Liam Livingstone, who has had a struggling season.
“The wicket looks decent and it will not change much. Batting second will give more clarity,” Patidar said at the toss. “It is an afternoon game and we will try and stop them as early as possible.”
Shreyas Iyer, the PBKS captain, said that he wanted to bowl first as well and confirmed that PBKS were going in unchanged. This is PBKS’ first afternoon game of the season.
“Afternoon game, wicket would be dry but at the end of he day, we will try and make use of it,” Iyer said. “It’s important that we give ourselves some time, see how the ball it pitching and moving. This is our first afternoon game and hopefully we get a good score on the board.”
PBKS might bring in one of Harpreet Brar and Vijaykumar Vyshak as the impact sub while bowling, with Priyansh Arya going out. RCB might bring in Devdutt Padikkal in place of Suyash Sharma while batting.
These two teams are facing off in less than 48 hours after they clashed in a rain-reduced 14-overs-a-side contest on Friday. PBKS won the encounter by five wickets and 11 balls to spare, but the win was far from easy for them. PBKS have won five and lost two matches so far this season and a win here will take them to the top of the table.
RCB, meanwhile, have won four matches out of seven so far, but all the four wins have come on the road. This is the first time these two teams are facing off in Mullanpur.
Playing XIs and impact subs
PBKS: 1 Prabhsimran Singh, 2 Priyansh Arya, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Josh Inglis, 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
PBKS Impact Player options: Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Pravin Dubey, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge
RCB: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rajat Patidar (wk), 4 Romario Shephard, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Yash Dayal, 11 Suyash Sharma
RCB Impact Player options: Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Dar, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh
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Let's hear from you
Should RCB drop Livingstone for the PBKS clash?
5.0K votesYes, Jacob Bethell should come in
Nope, Livingstone has experience
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Will the quick turnaround play a part?
With a nearly three-hour flight that wouldn't land until late Saturday evening, both PBKS and RCB will hit the ground running in the reverse fixture on Sunday afternoon. This is the first time RCB will be playing in Mullanpur and will be stepping into the unknown: no training session, no time to read pitches, and no chance to adjust to the slightly bigger ground dimensions. Will that prove to be vital? Here's Shashank Kishore with his preview.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, one of the stars of the RCB unit, accepted that RCB have been 'a bit slow' learning how to play at home. He also said that he continues to work on his rehab, having just returned to full fitness from calf and side strains prior to the start of IPL 2025. With such a quick turnaround time, will RCB look to rest him?
1 This is the first time RCB and PBKS will face off in Mullanpur
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What happened on Friday? Let's recap...
It rained... for close to two hours and that meant the RCB-PBKS clash was reduced to a 14-overs-a-side affair. PBKS bowled first and then had RCB struggling at 42 for 7 in the ninth over with another old RCB boy inflicting misery on RCB. Game over, you'd think? Out came Tim David and clobbered an unbeaten fifty to take RCB to 96 after 14 overs. The pitch wasn't easy to chase, and PBKS were themselves in a tough spot. But Wadhera stuck to his guns and took his side over the line.
It's been an interesting season so far for RCB. They have played seven games, winning four and losing three. Amazingly, all of their wins have come on the road and they are yet to win at home. Will that pattern continue today, which sees RCB register a fifth straight win away? It won't be easy against a raging PBKS side who can move to the top of the table with a win. They have won two and lost one game at home and will be hopeful of making that number three today.
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Can RCB do to PBKS what PBKS did to RCB?
Josh Hazlewood joked with the press that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) play "tomorrow" and not "day after" when asked about the short turnaround in matches in IPL 2025. Friday's RCB vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) fixture was delayed due to rain and stretched to beyond midnight, leading to Hazlewood's response. While it was said in a light tone, it doesn't take away the fact that RCB and PBKS will have less than 48 hours to travel, rest, recover and get match-ready as they get ready to face off in Mullanpur in a day game. Will that play a role in how the two teams shape up today? Will both sides be forced to rest a few players for better recovery? How much will the heat in Mullanpur play a role? We look for some of these answers as we build up to what's expected to be a riveting contest.
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