IPL 2025: Predicting RCB’s playing XI for their clash against PBKS

After hosting Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru in the 34th game of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to take on the same opponent in the 37th fixture of the tournament. The second clash between both teams will be played at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. 

RCB are currently placed in the third spot on the table, with four wins and two defeats in their four games so far. They defeated the Rajasthan Royals by a big 9-wicket margin in an away game in Jaipur. Now, Rajat Patidar’s men will aim to win this game against PBKS and secure one of the top two spots in the tournament’s points table.

The predicted playing XI of RCB for their next clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Openers  

The opening pair of the RCB will be the same as the duo of former skipper Virat Kohli and star batter Phil Salt are expected to open the innings for their side. The Kohli-Salt pair has been in brilliant form so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025. They also stitched an outstanding and swashbuckling opening partnership of 92 runs in just 8.4 overs against the Rajasthan Royals in the tournament’s 28th game. 

Phil Salt smashed 65 runs off just 33 balls, with five fours and six sixes, with an amazing strike rate of 196.96, followed by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 62 runs off 45 balls, with 4 fours and two sixes. So, RCB will not be making any changes in their opening pair for the game against PBKS. 

Middle-Order  

Devdutt Padikkal will be a perfect choice for RCB to pick as a number three batter in the playing XI for the game against PBKS. The Southpaw gained his form back in the game against RR, scoring an unbeaten 40 runs off 28 balls, five fours and a six. He also stitched a match-winning and unbeaten partnership of 83 runs with Virat Kohli to help RCB win by 9 wickets against RR. 

Padikkal will be followed by the skipper Rajat Patidar at number four to bat, who can play a decisive role with the bat, with a big knock to help his side post a big total on the board. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma and the star middle-order batter Tim David will also be there to contribute with some important runs in the lower middle-order. 

All-Rounder 

RCB might pick Liam Livingstone in their playing XI as a batting all-rounder, with a thought to utilise him in the spin-bowling department as well at the bowling-friendly track in New Chandigarh. The Englishman could play in the capacity of a specialist all-rounder, considering the team’s requirements according to the situation.  

Besides that, he could produce a decisive knock while batting lower down the middle-order and help his side post a big total in the first innings or chase a big target in the second innings. Having said that, Liam Livingstone will be a good choice as an all-rounder in RCB’s playing XI against PBKS. 

Bowlers  

The pace attack of the RCB will feature two veteran speedsters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, alongside extra support from their fellow pacer Yash Dayal. All three RCB pacers scalped a wicket each in the game against RR. So, the three pacers are going to be the main attack of Bengaluru against PBKS. 

The trio will be accompanied by the star spin-bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who will be there in the role of a specialist spinner. Krunal also scalped a wicket against RR; besides that, he is currently the second leading wicket-taker for RCB in the ongoing IPL 2025, with 8 wickets in 6 innings, including a brilliant four-wicket haul (4 wickets at 45 runs in a game). 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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