IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS vs RCB Predicted Playing 11 and Key Player Battles Today

Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 at the newly built PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29. Both teams have had successful league campaigns, finishing in the top two spots on the points table, and now stand just one win away from securing a place in the IPL 2025 final.

This is the first of two potential chances for either team to qualify for the final. The winner moves directly to the title clash, while the losing team gets a second shot in Qualifier 2, where they’ll face the winner of the Eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.

Captaincy Performance in IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer – Captain, Punjab Kings

• Matches: 14

• Wins: 9

• Losses: 4

• No Result: 1

• Win Percentage: 64.28%

Rajat Patidar – Captain, Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Matches: 14

• Wins: 9

• Losses: 4

• No Result: 1

• Win Percentage: 64.28%

Both captains have shown commendable leadership with identical records in the group stage, making this a closely matched battle.

PBKS Probable Playing 11 for Qualifier 1 vs RCB

Punjab Kings have emerged as one of the most balanced squads this season, with strong contributions from both batting and bowling units. With a settled core, PBKS is likely to retain their regular XI. However, Yuzvendra Chahal might replace Harpreet Brar as a strategic move for the playoff clash.

PBKS Probable Playing XI:

• Priyansh Arya

• Prabhsimran Singh

• Josh Inglis (wk)

• Shreyas Iyer (c)

• Nehal Wadhera

• Shashank Singh

• Marcus Stoinis

• Azmatullah Omarzai

• Harpreet Brar / Yuzvendra Chahal

• Kyle Jamieson

• Arshdeep Singh

Impact Sub Options: Vyshak Vijaykumar / Yuzvendra Chahal

Full PBKS Squad for IPL 2025

Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi, William O’Rourke, David Miller, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manimaran Siddharth, Prince Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Aryan Juyal, R S Hangargekar, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Arshin Kulkarni

RCB Probable Playing 11 for Qualifier 1 vs PBKS

RCB head into this clash with momentum and confidence, especially with their pace attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood showing strong form in the death overs. The middle-overs control comes from their spinners, while the top order relies heavily on Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar to anchor the innings.

RCB Probable Playing XI:

• Virat Kohli

• Phil Salt

• Mayank Agarwal

• Rajat Patidar (c)

• Liam Livingstone / Tim Seifert / Tim David

• Jitesh Sharma (wk)

• Romario Shepherd

• Krunal Pandya

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar

• Yash Dayal

• Josh Hazlewood / Nuwan Thushara

Impact Sub Option: Suyash Sharma

Full RCB Squad for IPL 2025

Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Blessing Muzarabani, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Philip Salt, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara

What’s at Stake in Qualifier 1?

Both PBKS and RCB are chasing their maiden IPL title. A win in Qualifier 1 not only secures a direct entry into the IPL 2025 final but also allows for better match preparation and rest. The loser will have one more opportunity in Qualifier 2, but avoiding that extra game is crucial in a tightly packed playoff schedule.

Conclusion

With high-performing players on both sides, an electrifying new venue in Mullanpur, and two strong captains with identical win records, this promises to be a thrilling showdown in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Expect fireworks as PBKS and RCB battle it out for a place in the grand finale.