The Indian Premier League IPL 2025 is heating up as we approach Match 34, featuring a thrilling encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. Scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, this match promises fireworks with both teams boasting explosive batting line-ups. Fantasy cricket players can use this blog to find the RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction, expert tips, and smart suggestions to build a strong fantasy team.
Match Preview
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, has had an up-and-down season so far. They started well but faced a tough loss in their last match against Gujarat Titans, losing by eight wickets. Liam Livingstone played a fighting knock of 54 runs, but it wasn’t enough as Gujarat chased the target comfortably with Jos Buttler scoring an unbeaten 73. Now, RCB will look to recover and make the most of playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is known for helping batters.
PBKS, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, has shown good character this season. Even after a big 50-run loss to Rajasthan Royals earlier, they have managed to come together again and build confidence. With a well-balanced team full of big hitters and strong bowlers, PBKS is ready to take advantage of RCB’s recent struggles and aim for an important win away from home.
RCB vs PBKS Head to Head Record
| Statistic | RCB | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Wins | 16 | 17 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
RCB vs PBKS Weather Report
At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru indicates hot and humid conditions are expected, with temperatures expected to reach around 34°C and humidity levels near 35%. There is no anticipated rainfall, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
RCB vs PBKS Pitch Report
Match Details:
- Date & Time: April 18, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Flat and batting-friendly. The surface offers consistent bounce, allowing batsmen to play their shots confidently. |
| Pace and Bounce | Good pace and true bounce. Fast bowlers can extract some movement early on, but the true nature of the pitch aids stroke play. |
| Spin Factor | While primarily favoring batsmen, the pitch can offer assistance to spinners as the game progresses, especially if the surface dries out. |
| Dew Influence | Dew can be a significant factor in evening matches, making the ball slippery and challenging for bowlers to grip, thus favoring the chasing team. |
| Average First-Innings Score | Approximately 170.4 runs. Teams often aim for scores above 180 to feel secure, given the ease of chasing at this venue. |
| Preferred Strategy | Winning the toss and opting to field first is generally advantageous due to the dew factor and the ground’s chasing-friendly nature. |
RCB vs PBKS Playing 11 Predictions
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing11:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli (C)
- Rajat Patidar
- Liam Livingstone
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Tim David
- Josh Hazlewood
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Jacob Bethell
Punjab Kings Playing11:
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Marcus Stoinis
- Nehal Wadhera
- Glenn Maxwell
- Shashank Singh
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Injury and Availability News
As of now, there are no significant injury concerns for either team. Both PBKS and KKR are expected to field their strongest possible XI, with all key players available for selection.
RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction
Wicketkeeper:
- Phil Salt (RCB) – As the wicketkeeper for RCB, Salt has been in good form, providing stability at the top of the order. His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him a valuable asset for your fantasy team.
Batters:
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – Kohli is in terrific touch this season and continues to be the backbone of RCB’s top order. With his form and experience, he’s capable of delivering big innings in pressure matches. A must-have in your fantasy team for his high run-scoring consistency.
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Reliable top-order batter and captain. Anchors the innings well and is capable of playing match-winning knocks.
- Rajat Patidar (RCB) – As RCB’s current captain, Patidar has taken responsibility in the middle order. He’s shown good composure and timing in tough situations during this IPL season. Can play both anchor and finisher roles depending on the match context.
- Priyansh Arya (PBKS): Emerging opener for PBKS with impressive recent form. Budget pick who can surprise with a big knock.
All-rounders:
- Liam Livingstone (RCB) – Livingstone is a dynamic player who can change the game with bat or ball. His power-hitting in the middle order and handy spin make him a double threat. A solid pick for fantasy teams looking for impact players.
- Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) – Maxwell’s ability to turn games with both bat and ball makes him a valuable all-rounder. His aggressive batting in the middle overs and handy spin bowling can fetch significant points.
Bowlers:
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): Left-arm pacer known for death bowling. Strikes regularly and bowls in pressure situations.
- Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS): Experienced leggie with smart variations. Can break partnerships and shine on turning tracks.
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – Hazlewood is a reliable pace option with excellent control and accuracy. He’s been consistent throughout the season and usually bowls in crucial overs. His ability to dry up runs and take wickets makes him fantasy gold.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) – A seasoned pacer who combines swing and experience to good effect. Bhuvi is effective in both powerplay and death overs, offering plenty of fantasy points. His control makes him one of the most economical bowlers in pressure games.
Captain: Virat Kohli
Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Match Prediction – Who Will Win RCB vs PBKS?
Considering RCB’s strong home record and current form, they have a slight edge over PBKS. However, PBKS’s explosive batting lineup, especially with Priyansh Arya in form, can turn the tables. Expect a high-scoring thriller with RCB likely to emerge victorious if they can contain PBKS’s top order.
Note: Fantasy cricket involves an element of luck, and player performances can vary. It’s advisable to stay updated with the latest team news and player form before finalizing your team.
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I love Cricket and Kabaddi and know a lot about them. I like talking about matches and players, helping people understand these sports better. Additionally, I enjoy providing predictions for upcoming games to add an extra layer of excitement for fans.
