Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings have long enjoyed a fierce rivalry that has seen close games and bold captaincy on both sides. Since the launch of IPL in 2008, Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru matches have taken place 37 times, with 19 wins for RCB and 18 wins claimed by Punjab Kings.
On Sunday, these two sides will square off in an intense final showdown, where defending champions hope to break their title drought while hosts aim to change history.
| Match Date | Venue | Result | PBKS Score | RCB Score | Match Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 3, 2025 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | RCB won by 6 runs | 184/7 | 190/9 | RCB |
| May 29, 2025 | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, New Chandigarh | RCB won by 8 wickets | 101 all out | 106/2 (10.0 ov) | RCB |
| April 20, 2025 | Mullanpur | PBKS won by 5 wickets (DLS method) | 95/9 (14.0 ov) | 98/5 (12.1 ov) | PBKS |
| April 18, 2025 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | RCB won by 60 runs | 157/6 | 241/7 | RCB |
| April 16, 2025 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | RCB won by 5 wickets | 176/6 | 178/6 (19.2 ov) | RCB |
RCB vs PBKS
RCB and PBKS encounters tend to be high-stakes affairs. Over the years, both teams have sparred intensely; with 18 wins each out of 35 total encounters and one of the closest head-to-head records in IPL history. Their encounters typically feature tightly contested games with explosive batting duels as well as unexpected twists and turns.
As neither team has won an IPL trophy before, this year’s final is set to be an epic showdown. Both have plenty to prove and whoever delivers in critical moments will emerge victorious.
After crushing PBKS for 101 runs in Qualifier 1, RCB will look to gain revenge against their old foes by defeating CCB for just 75 runs in Qualifier 2. Whoever emerges victorious will become champions of IPL 2025 and advance to June’s Champions Trophy final.
PBKS, on the other hand, have seen renewed life since losing to Hyderabad in last year’s final. Under Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer’s guidance, Punjab-based franchise PBKS is back on track and poised to claim their first championship since 2014.
At Mohali, PBKS has enjoyed an excellent track record against RCB, winning five out of nine matches with only one defeat occurring during a rain-hit encounter on April 18. Here, they had set up 157, but they were easily chased down with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73 and Devdutt Padikkal adding 63 for them to seal victory by seven wickets.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first, hoping to recreate their successful run-chase from their last meeting. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh set an early pace, selecting smart shots and running at an impressive run rate, reaching 62/1 after six overs.
But David Miller turned the tables, hitting an exceptional 38-ball century filled with eight fours and seven sixes against RCB death bowling to post one of the most remarkable innings ever seen in IPL history.
Venue-Specific Dominance
The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings rivalry has never been one-sided, producing thrilling cricket between both sides. From power-packed batting displays to nail-biting chases, each game between these sides has been action-packed and full of thrills.
When it comes to venue dominance there has been no clear winner with both teams winning six out of twelve matches played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru; however RCB have proven more consistent at Mohali by winning five out of nine matches there while winning both matches played at HPCA Stadium and Dharamshala as well.
After their shocking defeat in Qualifier 1, PBKS will be eager to seek redemption against RCB in the final. Both sides hold immense sentiment for this matchup; with PBKS having lost in 2016 while RCB are looking for their maiden IPL crown since their initial triumph four years earlier.
In the grand finale, former players from each side will battle it out against their old teams – from Kyle Jamieson and Yuzvendra Chahal to Marcus Stoinis and others who have worn both jerseys before – adding an extra edge to a match that will be watched closely around the country and world.
Who Has the Better Record?
Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings have faced off 37 times during IPL history, and their head-to-head record reflects the fierce nature of their rivalry. While Royal Challengers Bangalore leads with 18 wins to 17 for Punjab Kings, very little differentiates between the teams; it remains fiercely competed and often features close finishes with explosive batting duels between both squads.
This season has seen both teams shine, taking control of the league table and storming into playoffs with impressive victories. When these two meet in a crucial IPL Final on April 16, both will be hoping to claim their maiden crown!
At the inaugural season of IPL 2008 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB posted a modest total of 126 after an initial slow start. Rahul Dravid scored some good boundaries but soon afterwards was caught and bowled by Sreesanth. Meanwhile, visitors SRH struggled in pursuit and were finally dismissed in their penultimate over thanks to Piyush Chawla and Ryan Harris taking combined seven wickets for their host side.
Although both teams lost in Dharamsala earlier this season, they have met three times this season and each has won one match. At their latest meeting – an exciting encounter in Dharamsala where PBKS chased down an immense 232 runs to seal victory; Adam Gilchrist hit an unassailable century to help push them to that score while RCB struggled to keep up.
Across this year’s encounters, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been formidable at home, winning both matches against Punjab at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Punjab have proved unbeatable away, however, winning both games against them at PCA Stadium Mullanpur while engaging in numerous dominant displays on their travels – winning both games there against them while showing dominating away performances at other neutral venues such as Mohali.
Both sides appear equally balanced when it comes to venue dominance: RCB have the edge at their home ground while Punjab have their home ground advantage at neutral venues – making their matchup at PCA Stadium an intriguing showdown between two of IPL 2018 contenders!
Who Will Win the Final?
Both teams have been exceptionally consistent this season, winning nine out of their 14 matches while losing just four times and both have an opportunity to end an 18-year IPL title drought in the final.
Which team will prevail in the final? This match-up promises to be intense! Both squads boast strong rosters featuring experienced international players as well as promising young talent; ultimately, however, it could come down to which one performs better on game day.
Royal Challengers appear to hold an edge on paper with their balanced batting lineup and superior recent form, but Shreyas Iyer may prove decisive on such an enormous stage – having led two different teams to IPL finals and knows how best to cope in such high-pressure situations.
Punjab boasts an excellent batting line-up. Their top order features one of IPL cricket’s most powerful partnerships between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh; additionally they possess both experienced bowlers such as Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis, and Azmatullah Omar for good measure.
Both RCB and Punjab boast similar head-to-head records, each winning 18 and 17 matches respectively. But looking at their last seven encounters, it appears RCB have had the better run in form, which makes them favourites to claim victory here.
RCB have won five out of six matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium while Punjab have only managed three victories from nine at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. Piyush Chawla’s best bowling figures against RCB came during IPL 2011 when he took 4/17 at Dharamsala; since then both teams have experienced equal amounts of wins and losses.
As the stakes are so high and two teams with no IPL titles to their name compete for victory in this epic clash, this will surely be one to watch. Perhaps one team may finally secure that prized trophy and end their longstanding IPL curse; either way it should make for an exciting showdown! Nevertheless, neither one may emerge victorious from this intense contest.