PBKS vs RCB : Punjab Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru today (May 29) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. The match, which will determine the first team to enter this year’s final, is set to be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, also known as the New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, in Mullanpur. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.
PBKS vs RCB : Punjab have made it to the IPL final only once, back in 2014. That season, they lost Qualifier 1 to Kolkata Knight Riders but bounced back by winning Qualifier 2, only to fall short again in the final against KKR.
RCB, in contrast, have reached the final on three occasions but are yet to win the title. They lost to Deccan Chargers in 2009, Chennai Super Kings in 2011, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
In 2009, RCB defeated Chennai Super Kings in the semifinal (as the Qualifier format wasn’t in use then). In 2011, they lost Qualifier 1 to CSK but bounced back by beating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. In 2016, they advanced to the final after winning Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Lions.
PBKS vs RCB – Qualifier 1 Head-to-Head Record
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other 35 times in the IPL. RCB hold a slight edge with 18 wins, while PBKS have won 17. In the current IPL 2025 season, both teams have claimed one victory each in their two encounters.
This will be the first-ever knockout clash between Punjab and Bengaluru in IPL history.
PBKS vs RCB – AI Match Prediction
Here’s what AI suggests for today’s Qualifier 1 between PBKS and RCB in IPL 2025.
ChatGPT leans toward Royal Challengers Bengaluru making it to the final.
“Punjab Kings possess explosive talent but are overly dependent on their top-order trio. If RCB manage to remove Arya, Prabhsimran, or Iyer early, Punjab could struggle under pressure. Meanwhile, RCB look sharp, are in good form, and have a well-rounded squad with strong finishers,” the AI analysis notes.