PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Dream11 Prediction, IPL 2025: Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, 29 May 2025.
Both teams finished the league stage with nine wins apiece, but PBKS edged RCB on net run rate to seal the top spot. The stakes are massive - a direct berth to the IPL 2025 final for the victor, while the loser gets another shot in Qualifier 2.

PBKS under Shreyas Iyer have looked like a rejuvenated outfit, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, RCB have ended their eight-year drought of finishing in the top two, riding on explosive performances and a reliable core. The last time these two sides met, they split honours - PBKS winning in Bengaluru and RCB avenging it in Mullanpur.
The pitch in Mullanpur has offered a mixed bag in IPL 2025. The average first-innings score is 183, and three of the four games this season have been won by teams batting first. Expect a balanced surface with something for both batters and bowlers.
The weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures hovering around 24°C. Rain is unlikely to interrupt proceedings, providing ideal conditions for an exciting knockout clash.
Punjab Kings: Led by Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have punched above their weight with dominant all-round performances. Prabhsimran Singh has been their biggest revelation with the bat, while Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis have added firepower in the middle. Arshdeep Singh has led the bowling unit with authority, providing crucial breakthroughs at both ends of the innings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: RCB boast a formidable top order featuring Virat Kohli and Philip Salt, while captain Jitesh Sharma has donned the finisher's role with confidence. Josh Hazlewood's return adds teeth to the pace department. Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd provide a solid all-round base, while Rajat Patidar remains a key X-factor.
Phil Salt, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Inglis
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer
Krunal Pandya, Marco Jansen
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Arshdeep Singh
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar
Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya
Josh Hazlewood is expected to return for RCB in place of Nuwan Thushara. For PBKS, the team is likely to remain unchanged, with Prabhsimran Singh used as the Impact Player depending on the toss result.
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak
Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (WK & C), Tim David/Tim Seifert, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood/Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal
Impact Player: Rajat Patidar
Punjab Kings Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Seifert, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Blessing Muzarabani, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.