We are four matches away from finding the champions of the Indian Premier League and there is a high percentage chance that it could be a new team as the Punjab Kings face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Qualifier 1.
PBKS sealed the number one spot on the points table with an emphatic seven-wicket win over the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, in their final league match.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
RCB, on the other hand, also had a dramatic win over the Lucknow Super Giants on the final day of the league stage as Jitesh Sharma's 85*(33) sealed their number 2 spot in their highest run chase in IPL history.
Both teams finished the season at 19 points each, with 9 wins and 4 losses. Below is all you need to know about the high-stakes match between the two sides.
READ MORE: How has RCB performed in the 200+ run chases?
IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB head-to-head
PBKS and RCB have faced each other in the IPL in 35 matches where both teams have had a cutthroat rivalry, with PBKS having a slender lead of 18 wins to RCB's 17.
| Played | PBKS | RCB | Tie/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 18 | 17 | -/- |
READ MORE: IPL 2025 Playoffs: Schedule, fixture, date and time for Qualifiers, Eliminator and Final
IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB expected lineups
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Arshdeep Singh Impact: Yuzvendra Chahal.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (c/wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Impact: Rajat Patidar.
Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB predictions
This match between the two teams, who are eyeing their first title, will see the two sides face each other for the third time this season, with each team winning a game each.
SIGN UP & BET on the Indian Premier League playoffs to win a WELCOME BONUS of INR 20,000
When they met at Mullanpur earlier this season, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal guided RCB to victory in a 159-run chase, courtesy of a century partnership.
However, Punjab has found some fantastic rhythm after Josh Inglis has started firing at 3 — he will be the key once again with his countryman, Josh Hazlewood, back for the clash.
READ MORE: IPL 2025 playoffs: What happens if the match is abandoned?
With Marco Jansen having left the PBKS camp for national duty, Arshdeep Singh will have added responsibility in the powerplay.
It is expected to be a closely fought match, but PBKS might have a slight edge and could reach their second IPL final, set to be played in Ahmedabad.
Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB betting odds
According to Dafabet, PBKS, by a slight margin, are the favorites to win qualifier 1 in Mullanpur.
[OptaGraphics]