IPL 2025: Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Today match prediction | PBKS vs RCB – who will win?

Four teams, Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Mumbai Indians (MI) have qualified for the playoffs of IPL 2025 season. The first qualifier on Thursday will witness PBKS take on RCB at the Mullanpur stadium in new Chandigarh. Both sides have already played twice this season with each team winning once. 

Punjab Kings are heading into the game after their flawless performance with the bat and ball against Mumbai Indians in the last game. Shreyas Iyer’s side will be without Josh Inglis and Marco Jansen who are set to join the squad for the WTC finals. The bowling department has the likes of Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie in the ranks along with Mitchell Owen as potential replacements. 

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru the game on Thursday represents good chance to continue their amazing away form this year. Jitesh Sharma has stepped in as the perfect replacement skipper for injured Rajat Patidar in the last two games. This season everything has clicked for RCB and the return of Josh Hazlewood will make them a stronger unit. 

IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB today’s match prediction

If Punjab Kings bat first their chances of winning the game is less bacuse over the course of this season, PBKS have been a better chasing side. In the last game PBKS chased down the 185-run target set by Mumbai Indians with relative ease. On the other hand, if RCB bat first their chances of winning goes up higher due to their better bowling attack. 

Player of the match (POTM) prediction  

With yet another 600 run season with the bat, Virat Kohli has been in solid form oncfe again. Kohli scored an un beaten fifty in the last encounter between the two sides that was played at this venue. On the basis of his current form, former RCB skipper Virat Kohli will be prime candidate to take home the player of the match award.