Neither RCB or PBKS has ever won an IPL trophy before, so this high-stakes final will offer both clubs an opportunity to finally achieve success in this season of cricket.
PBKS’s side includes several players who once competed for RCB and who will now attempt to deny them their first title. Here’s a glimpse into how their performances against them over time have fared in the punjab kings vs royal challengers bengaluru timeline, highlighting key matches, standout players, and memorable battles between the two franchises.
| Date | Match Type | Venue | Result | Margin of Victory | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 3, 2025 | Final | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | RCB won by 6 runs | 6 runs | Virat Kohli (73*), Josh Hazlewood (3/21) |
| May 29, 2025 | Qualifier 1 | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur | RCB won by 8 wickets | 8 wickets | Suyash Sharma (3/17), Phil Salt (56) |
| April 20, 2025 | League Match | New Chandigarh | RCB won by 7 wickets | 7 wickets | Virat Kohli (73*), Devdutt Padikkal (61) |
| April 18, 2025 | League Match | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | PBKS won by 5 wickets | 5 wickets | Arshdeep Singh (3/25), Shreyas Iyer (45) |
| March 25, 2024 | League Match | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | RCB won by 4 wickets | 4 wickets | Virat Kohli (55), Yuzvendra Chahal (3/20) |
Venue-specific dominance
RCB and PBKS’ clash is sure to be one of the most anticipated battles in Indian Premier League history. Both teams have developed an intense rivalry, both eager to claim their inaugural trophy. Last time around, RCB edged out PBKS by eight wickets in Qualifier 1; today will test which team holds an edge when it comes to head-to-head records.
The rivalry between RCB and PBKS dates back to their inaugural meeting in 2008, and has continued over 35 games ever since – each team winning 18 times without an undue advantage over another. As such, this fiercely competitive rivalry stands as one of IPL history’s longest running rivalries.
PBKS has taken advantage of home ground advantage to secure big wins against RCB, with bowlers executing carefully planned strategy on pitches that do not lend themselves easily to shot making – for instance in Ahmedabad where seamers who bowl shorter lengths were favoured by tennis ball bounce. Yet their bowlers managed to restrict RCB to only 190 for 9 in their innings!
PBKS’ batting department is led by some of the greatest batsmen in IPL history; their top three have proven incredibly consistent and can change games with one big score. Furthermore, they maintain an ideal mix of pace and spinners on their team.
On the other side of things, Royal Challengers Bangalore have an equally powerful batting lineup, featuring many capable batsmen that can ease off pressure off their top order – among which Virat Kohli stands out, having shown great form in this year’s IPL tournament.
Overall, RCB boasts the superior squad and team composition compared to PBKS. Their lineup boasts powerful batsmen such as Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma for firepower up top, depth in their middle order with Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma providing depth, and spinners such as Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood adding variety with spin. As such, they look set to break their IPL title drought this season – setting the stage for one of the most thrilling IPL clashes ever!
Form over the years
Over the years, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have fostered a bitter rivalry, complete with nail-biting finishes and explosive batting duels. Both teams have met 35 times during IPL competition with 18 wins going to PBKS while 17 to RCB, making this rivalry one of the closest ever seen within this league. Every game between these teams always proves high-octane and unpredictable!
No one could forget KL Rahul’s unbeaten 132 not out against RCB at Mohali during IPL 2025 or David Miller’s unbeaten 38-ball century against them during that same season – two unforgettable knocks that make this fixture stand out as being amongst some of the greatest IPL moments. Miller’s 38-ball century contained 14 fours and seven sixes for an unparalleled 38-ball century against them, leaving their bowlers befuddled by his masterful strokes while smashing his way towards a crushing win against them all.
Both teams are in fantastic form going into this matchup and are working hard to secure their spots in the playoffs. Due to its batting-friendly nature, M Chinnaswamy Stadium should prove another high-octane contest.
However, RCB’s away venue record could prove vital in this match-up. They have only won six of twelve matches at their stadium home field so far but their impressive away performance this year could tip the scales in their favor.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are locked in an intense struggle to qualify for the IPL final. Both teams are tied on eight points and this match-up will determine their playoff hopes. Both are enjoying incredible form this year and hope to capture their inaugural trophy this time around.
The match will take place on the eve of the World Cup and is sure to be full of drama and emotion, especially given that Virat Kohli may finally break his title-holder jinx in this match. With their perfectly balanced squad featuring firepower at the top, depth in middle order from Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma and pace options from Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal; Royal Challengers appear poised for greatness.
Head-to-head record
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s clashes since first meeting in IPL 2008 have been electrifying, becoming one of the fiercest rivalries in the league thanks to iconic names like Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. From matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium or PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, fans never fail to experience something thrilling every game day!
Last time these teams met was in Qualifier 1 of this season’s IPL. RCB won by eight wickets and secured their place in the final. Unfortunately for Phil Salt’s innings-winning innings and his side’s chances of victory in Qualifier 1, PBKS crumbled and failed miserably; leaving no chance for victory at that stage but also making sure their mistakes would not repeat themselves in the final.
Even after an inauspicious start to their IPL campaign, Royal Challengers Bangalore have recovered and are pushing hard for another title win. But first they must face off with the PBKS side – with both sides winning 17 matches against each other in IPL history, with only the winner of this clash qualifying for IPL 2023 finals.
Since their first meeting at the inaugural IPL tournament in 2008 – when PBKS were known as Kings XI Punjab – these teams have met 36 times. Both sides have won 13 matches each; however RCB currently have an edge due to having a better overall record against PBKS.
Recent results between these teams show they have won five out of the last six matches between them, and on Thursday will look to extend that dominance further. Both sides must bring their A game for this contest if either batting or bowling hopes are to succeed; an exciting and gripping final can therefore be expected at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Priyansh Arya, Mohit Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Darren Sammy (wicketkeeper), Vijay Kumar and Nehal Wadhera. Josh Inglis (captain), Shreyas Iyer Marcus Stoinis Xavier Bartlett Krunal Pandya Yuzvendra Chahal Suryansh Shedge are some of the key members of PBKS team.
Preity Zinta’s changing expressions
Preity Zinta, known for her passionate support of Punjab Kings cricket team, quickly changed into visible concern after they suffered a humiliating defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 match on Tuesday. Photos showing Preity at the stadium appeared online with her clearly upset by their team’s poor performance were soon shared among social media.
Preity was well aware of the highs and lows of cricket as an ex-player, as she is well versed in handling pressure. However, during this match her nerves were evident as Royal Challengers Bangalore built up an overwhelming first innings lead.
Her nerves further frayed when captain Shreyas Iyer was dismissed in just the first over with an unfortunate mistimed pull landing safely at long leg where Jitesh Sharma took possession.
As the game was on the brink, RCB found some momentum late in the second half and reduced Punjab Kings to 121/6 after 16 overs. But David Miller — affectionately known by his nickname of ‘Killer Miller’ for his impressive innings — ultimately turned the tables against their hosts.
As one of the greatest innings in IPL history, he struck 11 sixes and fours off 38 balls to power through the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling attack and make one of the key turning points of this match. This brilliant innings earned him a place in IPL Hall of Fame while simultaneously turning this match on its head.
On June 3rd, these two teams will collide again in the IPL final with Royal Challengers Bangalore looking to end their title drought and Punjab Kings hoping for their maiden triumph.
It will mark several former players such as Kyle Jamieson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis as well as Ricky Ponting taking charge of his former side RCB as head coach of Punjab Kings for the first time as Ricky Ponting makes his coaching debut as part of Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting takes control of their opponents RCB captain before taking charge as head coach of Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting takes charge as former captain RCB skipper of Ricky Ponting takes control of both sides for one final showdown matchup.
When the two sides square off against one another in cricket’s premier tournaments, their battle to claim first place can be thrillingly intense. Over 35 matches between PBKS and RCB have witnessed exciting finishes and intense batting duels with jaw-dropping finishes often being the result.