Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] April 18: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up to face the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a thrilling IPL 2025 match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The toss has been postponed due to rain in the area.
Currently, RCB holds the third position on the points table, while PBKS is just behind at fourth. Both teams have secured four victories and suffered two losses after six matches. However, RCB boasts a marginally superior net run rate compared to PBKS. Both squads are entering this match following impressive wins, and a decisive victory for either could elevate them to the top of the standings.
In their last encounter in Jaipur, RCB successfully chased a target of 174 runs against the Rajasthan Royals, clinching victory by nine wickets with 15 balls remaining. Key contributions came from Devdutt Padikkal, alongside half-centuries from Phil Salt and Virat Kohli. Krunal Pandya emerged as RCB's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 1/29 in four overs.
On the flip side, PBKS made headlines in their last match by defending a mere 112-run target against the Kolkata Knight Riders, marking the lowest score ever defended in IPL history. Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal were instrumental, taking three and four wickets, respectively.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's lineup includes: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Swastik Chikara, Mohit Rathee, Nuwan Thushara, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi.
Punjab Kings' squad features: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar, Praveen Dubey, Pyla Avinash, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Singh, Kuldeep Sen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Aaron Hardie, Vishnu Vinod, Marcus Stoinis.
