Two teams, RCB and PBKS, that have got a strong start in this IPL, will face off in the first of two back-to-back matches at the Chinnaswamy stadium. While RCB are yet to win at home, PBKS won from jaws of defeat at Mullanpur few days ago.
There is a lot to play for in this game, which will see one of the teams moving ever so up in the ladder.
As always, we’ve got you covered with our expert fantasy tips, match details, team lineups, and in-depth predictions.
Match Details
- Date: April 18, 2025
- Time: 7.30 PM
- Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS)
[Read the complete IPL 2025 schedule here]
Head-to-Head: RCB vs PBKS
- Matches Played: 33
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 16
- Punjab Kings won: 17
- Key Statistical Insights:
- Average first-innings score at venue: 167.80 (97 matches)
- These sides have met 11 times at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with RCB winning 7 of those
- Chasing team win percentage: 53.61% (52 matches)
- Predicted Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (55% probability)
Pitch and Weather Report
M Chinnaswamy Stadium characteristics
- Pitch Characteristics:
- Though this venue is historically good for batters, batting first has been tricky in the two games played this season
- Both spinners and spinners have found success at this venue in 2025, especially in the first innings
- Potential for a score between 160+
- Weather Conditions:
- Temperature: 28-29°C
- Humidity: 53%
- Evening match with partly cloudy skies
- Minimal wind interference
Playing XI Probables & Impact Subs: RCB vs PBKS (IPL 2025)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Probable XI
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt (WK)
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Jitesh Sharma
- Liam Livingstone
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Suyash Sharma
Team Strategy: The Top order has been in fine form with timely contributions from the middle order. Their experienced bowling attack has stepped up at critical junctures
RCB is likely to stick with the same playing XI. They would want a win against their name at home conditions this year
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable XI
- Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Glenn Maxwell
- Josh Inglis
- Shashank Singh
- Yash Thakur/ Suryansh Shedge
- Arshdeep Singh
- Marco Jansen
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Xavier Bartlett
Team Strategy: Explosive batting order, but their middle-order collapsed in the last game. They would want their batters to step and brush aside the disappointment of getting bowled out for 111 in the previous game. On the other hand, their bowlers fought hard in the defense of a small target, and the form of Yuzvendra Chahal is a big positive.
Team News: With Lockie Ferguson out due to an injury, Xavier Bartlett is likely to get an extended run.
Dream11 Fantasy Insights
Top Captain Choices
- Priyansh Arya (PBKS)
- 216 runs at a SR of 216 in this IPL
- One of the best strikers of the ball in the tournament
- Potential Points: 80-100
- Virat Kohli (RCB)
- Has scored 1030 runs against PBSK in 32 innings (SR of 35.52)
- Most IPL runs at this venue (3089 runs in 88 innings)
- Potential Points: 80-100
- Phil Salt (RCB)
- Has a strike rate of 185.71 in this IPL while scoring 208 runs
- Played a match-winning knock of 65 from just 33 balls in the last game for RCB
- Potential Points: 80-100
Key match-ups that should impact the fantasy picks
- Priyansh Arya vs Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Virat Kohli vs Marco Jansen
- Shreyas Iyer vs Krunal Pandya & Suyash Sharma
Fantasy Tips for RCB vs PBKS (IPL 2025)
- It could be a game where we may see a middling total, so pick top-order batters from both sides
- Spinners could come in handy here
- Prioritize top-order batters in your captain choices.
- Keep an eye out for last-minute team changes.
Our Winning Dream11 Team
Dream11 Team Building Strategy
- 4-5 Batters
- 2 Wicket-Keepers
- 2-3 All-Rounders
- 2-3 Bowlers
Team Composition: RCB 5 – PBKS 6
- Wicket-Keepers: Phil Salt (C), Josh Inglis
- Batters: Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Priyansh Arya (VC), Shreyas Iyer
- All-rounder: Marco Jansen, Krunal Pandya
- Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzuvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Match Outcome Predictions
- Predicted Score: 150-175 runs
- Toss Factor: Batting second has been advantageous here
- Winning Probability:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 55%
- Punjab Kings: 45%
Disclaimer: Fantasy predictions are speculative. Actual performance may vary.
Good Luck, Fantasy Cricketers!
