IPL 2025: Predicting Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI against PBKS

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play their home game of the IPL 2025 against high-flying Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday. Both sides have played six games each and have eight points. RCB are placed third in the table, just above PBKS, due to a better run-rate. The two teams are coming into the game on the back of a win in the last encounter.

Rajat Patidar’s side beat Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets and 15 balls to spare in their last encounter. While RCB has won four games on the road, it is their home form which has been a bit of a concern. Bengaluru lost to Gujarat and Delhi at home, and facing Punjab will be a huge challenger. Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell return to take on their former side and will look to stop RCB from registering their first home win of the season.

Here is the likely RCB XI vs PBKS in the upcoming IPL 2025 game

Top order – Phil Salt and Virat Kohli

English batter Phil Salt is in top form yet again at the top of the order in the IPL 2025 season. Salt scored 65 runs from just 33 balls in the last match versus the Rajasthan Royals. The right-handed batter has been in devastating form in the powerplay overs and will look to bat in the same vein of form. Virat Kohli has been in splendid form with the bat and scored an unbeaten fifty in the game against RR to notch up his 10th T20 fifty. 

Middle Order – Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone

Return to RCB has worked out well for Devdutt Padikkal, who has been showing glimpses of his terrific talents with the bat. The lanky left-handed batter has become a pivotal player for his side while batting at number three. Skipper Rajat Patidar has been his consistent self and will be a key player against Chahal in what could be a match-up that could dictate the course of the game. Liam Livingstone has been good in patches but will need to be more consistent for RCB as the tournament heads into the halfway mark.

More Read: Top 3 batters to watch out for in RCB vs PBKS clash

Lower-order- Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Tim David

31-year-old Jitesh Sharma has been a welcome addition to RCB at the back end of the innings. Sharma played a key knock with the bat in the game against Mumbai Indians, which helped RCB post a huge score and also kept safe behind the stumps. Krunal Pandya’s bat has failed to do the talking, but his bowling, especially his quicker ones and bouncers, have been one of the standout moments of the season. Tim David has been giving RCB the much-needed muscle at the backend of the innings and has scored key runs for his side. 

Tail-enders – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been picking wickets but hasn’t found the same rhythm with the ball he is known for. Kumar will be the key with the new ball as there could be swing on offer due to the rains in Bengaluru recently. Yash Dayal has been one of the key bowlers for Rajat Patidar, not just in the powerplay but also in the death overs, as he varies his pace well. Josh Hazlewood began the season well but has found the going tough in the last few games. RCB team management will hope that their veteran seamer can find his form and help the team qualify for the playoffs.

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

RCB XI vs PBKS

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal.

Impact Sub – Suyash Sharma

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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