RCB vs PBKS Head to Head: Stats, Wins & Rivalry Timeline – Crictoday

Crictoday
Lifeline of Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are set to clash in the IPL 2025 final at Ahmedabad in what promises to be a thrilling end to the season. RCB booked their spot by thrashing PBKS in Qualifier One, bowling them out for just 101. PBKS bounced back with grit, defeating Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians in Qualifier Two, thanks to a stunning 87 not out by captain Shreyas Iyer.
The RCB vs PBKS head-to-head rivalry has grown over the years, with both teams locked at 18 wins each from 36 matches. It is a battle marked by tight games, bold captaincy, and high-pressure moments where neither side has backed down.
This season alone, the teams have faced off three times, with RCB winning twice. As they gear up for their biggest showdown yet, all eyes will be on which team breaks the deadlock and lifts the IPL trophy.
The rivalry between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings began in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. In their first-ever clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru RCB, led by Rahul Dravid, posted a modest total of 126 after a shaky start. S Sreesanth struck early blows, removing Wasim Jaffer and Cameron White, while Virat Kohli and Dravid added some resistance with 34 and 66 respectively. Punjab Kings, then known as Kings XI Punjab, chased the target down with six wickets in hand thanks to a composed 39 from Shaun Marsh.
Their most recent meeting came in Qualifier One of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh. In a high-pressure playoff clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru completely outplayed Punjab Kings, bowling them out for just 101 and chasing it down with eight wickets to spare. The result handed RCB a direct ticket to the final while PBKS were forced to take the longer route.
Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101 runs as RCB’s disciplined bowling kept them under control. RCB comfortably chased the target, winning with eight wickets in hand.
Punjab Kings scored 157 on a slow pitch but struggled to accelerate. RCB’s spinners took key wickets, and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 73, along with Devdutt Padikkal’s 63, helped seal the chase with 10 balls to spare.
In a rain-shortened 14-over match, RCB posted 95 runs. Punjab Kings recovered from early losses, with Nehal Wadhera’s unbeaten 33 guiding them to a six-wicket victory with an over remaining.
RCB scored 241 runs with big contributions from Kohli, Green, and Patidar. Punjab Kings struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 181.
Punjab Kings scored 176 runs. Virat Kohli’s 77 anchored the chase, and late contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror helped RCB win in the final over.
When it comes to venue dominance, neither team has a clear upper hand. At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, both teams won six matches out of the twelve that were played. However, RCB have been more successful at Punjab’s home grounds. They have won five out of nine matches in Mohali and have also claimed victory in the only games played at HPCA Stadium and Dharamshala. Looking at form over the years, Punjab Kings started strong with early winning streaks, including five consecutive wins between 2012 and 2015. RCB responded with a four-match winning streak in the late 2000s. Since 2020, the rivalry has been fairly even, with each team winning five of the last ten matches. This season, RCB have defeated the Punjab Kings twice at home, and last season, they showed dominance away from home.
RCB bundled out PBKS for just 101 and chased it down effortlessly, sealing a dominant 8-wicket win to storm into the IPL 2025 final.
Adam Gilchrist smashed 106 off 55 balls as Punjab Kings piled up 232; RCB were bowled out for 121 in a one-sided demolition in Dharamshala.
With 19 needed off the final over, Harshal Patel kept his cool after Chahal’s game-changing double strike, guiding RCB to a thrilling 6-run win despite KL Mayank’s strong start.
The leading run scorer in this rivalry, Kohli, has amassed 6 fifties and 1 century, averaging nearly 35 with a strike rate of 134. His match-winning knocks, especially at crunch moments, have often tilted the contest in RCB’s favour.
The Universe Boss has entertained fans in both jerseys. For RCB, he blasted 2 centuries vs PBKS, while also delivering key knocks against RCB while at PBKS. No bowler was ever safe when Gayle was on song.
AB has been a consistent tormentor for Punjab, scoring 7 half centuries with a mind-blowing strike rate of 155 and an average of 44. His fearless batting and 360 degree stroke play made him nearly unplayable.
Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in this fixture, has spun webs around PBKS with his clever variations.
A death over specialist, Harshal has delivered under pressure, including a last-over thriller in 2021. His slower deliveries and smart variations have consistently troubled both Bengaluru and Punjab batters.
Known for his swing early on, Sandeep has often dented RCB’s top order in the powerplay. His economy and knack for early breakthroughs made him a reliable weapon for PBKS.
The IPL 2025 Final will see several players facing off against their former teams. For Punjab Kings, Kyle Jamieson, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Marcus Stoinis, all of whom once wore the RCB jersey, will now aim to beat their old franchise on the big night.
On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will feature Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma, all former Punjab Kings players, now determined to deny their old team a first title.
Neither RCB nor PBKS have ever won an IPL title. This final marks a rare shot at redemption, RCB’s first appearance in a final since 2016, and PBKS’s first since 2014. With nearly a decade-long wait for both, fans can expect an emotional and high-stakes showdown.
Ans: Both teams are tied with 18 wins each in their head-to-head record.
Ans: They last met on 29th May 2025, when RCB defeated PBKS by 8 wickets in Qualifier 1.
Ans: Virat Kohli has scored the most runs in RCB vs PBKS matches, with a total of 1116 runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru look well placed to break their title jinx finally. With a perfectly balanced squad featuring firepower at the top, depth in the middle with Krunal and Jitesh, and variety in their bowling attack with players like Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, RCB appear more complete than ever. Their spinners have been in top form, and the pace unit has stepped up in crunch moments. But above all, this final feels special because of Virat Kohli. In his 18th IPL season, the stage is set for one of the greatest ever to lift the trophy he has chased for so long. With form, momentum, and belief on their side, Bengaluru look ready to script a fairytale finish. Expect Kohli and Co. to deliver when it matters most.

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