The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a high-stakes IPL 2025 clash on Sunday, April 20, at the iconic Maharaj Stadium in Tira. This match follows closely on the heels of their previous encounter just two days ago on April 18, where PBKS secured a convincing five-wicket win in a rain-curtailed contest. Historically, this fixture has always delivered thrilling encounters — RCB and PBKS have clashed 33 times in the IPL, with Punjab holding a slender edge with 17 wins compared to RCB’s 16. Let’s see which team is able to dominate which and celebrate the victory at the end of the day.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch RCB vs PBKS live on the Star Sports Network in India, Ten Sports in Pakistan, and Fox TV in Australia. The match starts at 7:00 pm PST / 7:30 pm IST / 2:00 pm GMT.
Team Analysis
In their previous match against PBKS, the hosts faltered with the bat, scoring just 95/9 in a rain-reduced 10-over game despite a fighting 50* Tim David. The top order failed to deliver and it instilled a batting collapse in the rest of the lineup. RCB has had an inconsistent campaign so far. Interestingly, all of their wins have come in away matches, while they remain winless at the Tira ground — a trend that’s puzzling for a team known for their dominance. The legendary, Virat Kohli has also lost his spark and was seen struggling in the last game against the same opponent.
However, Captain Rajat Patidar, now leading RCB for the first full season, has shown maturity under pressure but is yet to unlock consistent results at home. Where, Virat Kohli can anchor the top order, and Phil Salt has looked dangerous in the powerplay. However, the middle order remains fragile, often collapsing under scoreboard pressure. The bowling unit, led by Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley, has been economical, but their execution in the death overs has been a concern — especially on the batting-friendly surfaces of Bengaluru.
PBKS, under the calm leadership of Shreyas Iyer, appear to have found their rhythm this season. Their latest win against RCB was a tactical masterclass. Yuzvendra Chahal, back to torment his former franchise, delivered a match-defining spell of 2-11, proving instrumental in choking RCB’s batting momentum. However, the team have often struggled in the batting powerplay and have failed to utilise the power play to the maximum. This can prove to be dangerous for the Punjab Squad in this high-stakes clash.
One of the breakout stars for PBKS has been Priyansh Arya — a flamboyant young opener who recently lit up the tournament with a blazing 39-ball century against Chennai Super Kings. His ability to take on the new ball and set the tempo is proving invaluable. Alongside him, Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone provide powerful middle-order options. The bowling department has also been sharp, with Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Chahal forming a balanced pace-spin trio that can strike at any phase of the innings.
Match Insights and Conclusion
As both sides gear up for a rematch on April 20, RCB will be desperate to snap their home losing streak and level the season series. PBKS, riding high on confidence and superior recent form, will look to exploit the Bengaluru pitch once again. With in-form stars, explosive batting lineups, and plenty of match-winners on both teams, fans can expect a high-octane contest filled with drama, sixes, and swing. If you want to watch RCB Vs PBKS live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
