2 weeks Ago
Punjab Kings head back to home turf riding high on confidence after a clinical 14‐over victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy just two days ago. Now, as the two teams meet again in Match 37 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh, the stakes couldn’t be higher.PBKS have won five of their eight matches and sit second in the table—another triumph here would almost guarantee their spot in the playoffs.
RCB, meanwhile, have slipped to fourth after losing their last two outings despite a promising start to the season. They’ll be eager to halt their slide, especially on what is expected to be a spinner’s paradise in Chandigarh.In Saturday’s rain‐curtailed clash, Punjab’s bowlers were unplayable.
Marco Jansen (2/10), Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar exploited the conditions to bundle out RCB for just 95, with Arshdeep Singh striking early to remove Virat Kohli among others. Although Tim David’s unbeaten 50 offered some resistance, the middle order collapsed, and Punjab chased the target with 11 balls remaining, anchored by Nehal Wadhera’s unbeaten 33 off 19.Wadhera’s composed knock has thrust him into contention for a permanent middle‐order role, especially as Shashank Singh and Josh Inglis search for form.
RCB’s bowlers had their moments—Josh Hazlewood (3/14) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/26) impressed—but batting woes persist. Phil Salt’s explosive starts have fizzled out, Kohli returned for just one, and captain Rajat Patidar’s leadership remains unproven despite his 1,000‐run milestone.As they prepare for the rematch, RCB face a tough decision: stick with the same XI or tweak their lineup—particularly adding more spin options—to counter Punjab’s strengths.
A quick turnaround in strategy and performance will be vital if they’re to reverse their fortunes.Here are the key players to watch out for in today's RCB vs PBKS matchTim David (RCB)His fifty in the last match was crucial, pushing RCB to set a competitive total of 95. His aggressive batting towards the end of the innings was remarkable, and a similar performance is expected from him today.
Josh Hazlewood (RCB)Hazlewood, the leading wicket-taker in the previous match with figures of 3/14, delivered a standout performance. He will aim to maintain that form in today’s game and challenge the PBKS batting order once more.Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)His performance has been inconsistent so far, but he still poses a major threat.
His explosive 97 off 42 balls against Gujarat Titans and a quickfire 82 off 36 against SRH highlight his ability to take control of the game. Additionally, he contributed with a solid 52(30) against LSG.Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)Singh, the Kings' opening batsman, has consistently delivered strong performances, playing a crucial role in the team's solid starts.
His partnership with Priyansh Arya remains dependable and enjoyable to watch.Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)Arshdeep Singh is a crucial player for Punjab today. Although he hasn't been as dominant as his 19-wicket haul in IPL 2024, he's still shown moments of brilliance this season.
His standout performances include 3/43 against LSG and 2/36 against GT, showcasing his ability to strike either early or during the death overs..
