RCB vs PBKS Match Preview: High Stakes at Chinnaswamy
The Indian Premier League 2025 heavts up as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 34 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18. Both teams are tied with eight points from six matches, occupying the third and fourth spots on the points table respectively. RCB aims to break their home losing streak, while PBKS looks to continue their winning momentum.
Matchday Madness in Bengaluru! 🔥
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) April 18, 2025
RCB take on PBKS in a high-octane clash tonight at 7:30PM!
Who’s taking the points? 👀
📍 Bengaluru
📸: IPL #RCBvsPBKS #MatchDay #WicketBuzz pic.twitter.com/GLux7pxhP6
RCB vs PBKS Head-to-Head: A Tight Contest
In their IPL history, RCB and PBKS have faced each other 33 times. PBKS holds a slight edge with 17 wins, while RCB has secured 16 victories. This close rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement to their upcoming encounter.
Key Players to Watch
- RCB: Virat Kohli has amassed 248 runs in six matches with a strike rate of 143.35. Phil Salt follows closely with 208 runs at an impressive strike rate of 187.39. Josh Hazlewood leads the bowling attack with nine wickets and an economy ratehttps://wicketbuzz.com/shreyas-iyer-leads-punjab-kings-to-thrilling-win-over-gujarat-titans-in-ipl-2025/ of 6.75.
- PBKS: Captain Shreyas Iyer tops the charts with 250 runs at a strike rate of 204.92. Priyansh Arya has contributed 216 runs, striking at 218.18. Arshdeep Singh has been effective in the death overs, claiming eight wickets so far.
Expected Playing XI
RCB:
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Jitesh Sharma
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Tim David
- Liam Livingstone
- Krunal Pandya
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
PBKS:
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Glenn Maxwell
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Marco Jansen
- Lockie Ferguson
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Xavier Bartlett
Pitch and Weather Report
The Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch, offering high-scoring games. Weather forecasts predict clear skies, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
Fantasy Cricket Tips
Considering the form and pitch conditions, top picks for fantasy teams include Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, and Arshdeep Singh. All-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Liam Livingstone could provide valuable points.
Match Outlook
With both teams eager to climb the points table, the RCB vs PBKS match promises to be a thrilling contest. Fans can expect a high-octane game filled with stellar performances.
