IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: RCB Playing XI against PBKS | Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the best-performing teams in the IPL 2025, finally reached the top two positions after defeating Lucknow Super Giants in the last group stage match. The team will now face Punjab Kings in the first qualifier of the season at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh. This article will discuss their expected playing XI for the upcoming match.

RCB in IPL 2025 emerged as one of the best teams, with an even greater feat achieved this year: the team won all of its away matches. Out of the nine games won this season, 7 of those matches were away. This exceptional record can be attributed to the team's outstanding performance this season. In the 40 matches played this season, RCB won 19 of them and finished the group stage in second position on the points table with 19 points. After almost a decade, RCB has finished the season in the top 2, getting two chances to reach the finals. The upcoming two games are going to be crucial for RCB as it eyes its first-ever title.

Also Read:PBKS vs RCB: Head To Head | IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted Playing XI Against Punjab Kings

Role	Player
Batter	Virat Kohli
Batter	Phil Salt
Batter	Mayank Agarwal
Batter (c)	Rajat Patidar (c)
Wicketkeeper	Jitesh Sharma (wk)
All-rounder	Romario Shepherd
All-rounder	Krunal Pandya
All-rounder	Tim Davidt
Bowler	Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bowler	Yash Dayal
Bowler	Josh Hazlewood
Impact Sub	Suyash Sharma

Top Order

For the top order, RCB will have the explosive opening duo of Virat Kohli and English batter Phil Salt, who gave a powerful start in the last match. Meanwhile, batting at No. 3 is Mayank Agarwal, who replaced Devdutt after he was injured. Mayank has embraced the role for the team very well; in the last match, he contributed to the match-winning partnership by scoring over 41 runs. 

Middle Order

 RCB features a star-studded batting lineup for the middle order, with captain Rajat Patidar batting at number 4. It's still unclear whether he will play as the captain or an impact player, while West Indian all-rounder Romario Sepherd will bat at number 5. For the sixth and seventh positions, the team includes wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, the last match's hero, and explosive finisher Tim David. At the same time, Krunal Pandya will bat at number 8.

Bowlers

For the bowling attack, RCB has a slightly pace-heavy lineup. This will be led by Australian Josh Hazlewood and the experienced Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with Yash Dayal, who has performed decently for the team this season and will bowl some crucial overs during the innings. Meanwhile, the spin attack will feature Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, in which Suyash is likely to play as an impact player.
Also Read:IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Teams, Playing XI and Who WIll Win the Match?

RCB Squad For IPL 2025

Role	Players
Captain	Rajat Patidar
Wicketkeepers	Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma
Batters	Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara
All-rounders	Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell
Bowlers	Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee, Yash Dayal