RCB Come In Hot, PBKS Guard Their Turf
Cricket fans barely had time to catch their breath after the latest thriller, and here come IPL 2025's Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru for another round. Both sides know what's at stake. PBKS are hunting down the top of the table, while RCB, undefeated on the road this season, want to remind everyone why they're one of the most feared traveling teams. Back-to-back fixtures crank up the pressure, keeping players, coaches, and fans on edge.
The Mullanpur Stadium usually delivers for both batters and bowlers. There's talk about a surface that's great for stroke makers early on, but keeps the seamers and spinners interested later. You don't want to face RCB’s bowlers when the sun starts to set, especially if you're chasing. Add in local weather that promises to stay sunny and steady around 30°C, and this shapes up to be a full-length, high-scoring battle, minus any rain delays.
Lineups, Key Battles, and Match-Ups to Watch
Everyone’s eyes are drawn to the head-to-heads—Kohli versus Iyer, Padikkal’s new flair against Arshdeep’s swing, and Harshal Patel’s death bowling skills tested by PBKS’s deep batting. RCB look set to roll out an unchanged eleven. Their confidence in on-song players—particularly Kohli (who hit 73* last time) and Padikkal (walking tall off his 61)—means minimal tinkering. Harshal Patel will handle the pressure overs, with Karthik’s composure giving support from behind the stumps.
PBKS will fight fire with fire. Iyer’s captaincy has turned them into a more stubborn outfit while Sam Curran and Arshdeep bring both wickets and control. Nathan Ellis has enjoyed sneaking in with key breakthroughs, and Rabada always looks threatening on familiar pitches. Matthew Short and Liam Livingstone offer that left-field batting punch, while Jitesh Sharma can clear the fence in the clutch overs. Home ground can pile on the expectations, but this crowd always turns up loud—it’s a pressure PBKS have learned to feed off.
Here’s how both squads are set to start:
- PBKS: Shreyas Iyer (c), Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short, Harpreet Brar, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Prabhsimran Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran.
- RCB: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Michael Bracewell, Kunal Rajput, Akash Deep.
RCB’s 100% away record is rare in any era of the IPL. They’ve adapted to every setting, from Pune to Jaipur, thanks to bold captaincy and a batting order that gives no breathing room. But PBKS’s win last time and the Mullanpur crowd are tough obstacles. Someone like Curran can tip the game with a fine spell or quickfire 40. On the flip side, Kohli, with his sharp focus, just loves an away crowd.
This is more than just any regular season game—it’s a clash where momentum can turn a campaign’s direction. Tactical questions and individual showdowns should keep this one close right till the final over.