Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings are set to clash in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 on 29th May in New Chandigarh, a high-stakes encounter between two sides hungry for their maiden IPL title. Since their first meeting in 2008, RCB and PBKS have built a fierce, neck-to-neck rivalry, marked by tight finishes, explosive batting duels, and unpredictable twists. Out of 35 encounters, Punjab Kings hold a slender edge with 18 wins, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won 17, making this one of the most evenly matched rivalries in IPL history. Their two face-offs in IPL 2025 ended with both sides sharing the spoils, further proving that whenever these teams meet, entertainment is guaranteed and nothing comes easy.
How Many Times Have Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings Played Each Other?
The RCB vs PBKS rivalry has always been high octane, filled with intensity, dramatic finishes, and moments that have swung the momentum of the season. From power-packed batting displays to nervy chases, this fixture rarely disappoints.
Their first-ever clash came in IPL 2008, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Rahul Dravid, faced Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), captained by Yuvraj Singh. On a tricky surface in Bengaluru, RCB struggled to 126 all out, with S. Sreesanth dismantling the top order by removing Wasim Jaffer and Cameron White. Despite a gritty 34 off 36 by Virat Kohli and 66 from 51 by Dravid, RCB never really got going. PBKS chased it down, though not without trouble, with Shaun Marsh top scoring with 39 in a six-wicket win.
Their most recent meeting in 2025 at Mohali saw RCB comfortably chase down 158, just days after PBKS had edged them out in a rain-hit match at the Chinnaswamy.
Head to Head
Matches Played in Total: 35
Punjab Kings Wins: 18
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wins: 17
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings – Last 5 Matches Summary
RCB vs PBKS – May 2025 | IPL 2025 | Mohali
- Venue: PCA Stadium, Mohali
- Result: RCB won by 8 wickets
- PBKS posted 157 on a sluggish surface, with none of the batters able to shift gears. RCB’s spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, took two wickets each to keep the hosts quiet. In reply, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 73 and Devdutt Padikkal’s 63 made the chase look effortless. RCB wrapped up the win with 10 balls to spare, showcasing control and composure.
- RCB vs PBKS – May 2025 | IPL 2025 | Bengaluru
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Result: PBKS won by 6 wickets (DLS)
- In a rain-shortened 14-over match, RCB struggled to 95 despite Tim David’s counter-attacking 50 off 26 balls. PBKS’s chase got off to a rocky start at 53/4, but Nehal Wadhera’s calm 33* helped them recover and cross the line with one over to spare. This gritty win reflected Punjab’s ability to handle pressure in tricky conditions.
- RCB vs PBKS – May 2024 | IPL 2024 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Result: RCB won by 60 runs
- In a must-win clash, RCB exploded with the bat. Virat Kohli’s 92 off 47, Cameron Green’s 46 (27), and Rajat Patidar’s 55 powered them to a mammoth 241. PBKS couldn’t keep up and folded for 181. It was a dominant all-round performance by RCB that kept their playoff hopes alive and highlighted their batting firepower in high-pressure games.
- RCB vs PBKS – April 2024 | IPL 2024 | Bengaluru
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Result: RCB won by 5 wickets
- PBKS put up a competitive 176, with Shikhar Dhawan scoring 45. In response, Virat Kohli led the chase with 77, but his dismissal to Harshal Patel at a crucial stage made things tense. However, Dinesh Karthik’s 28 (10)* and Mahipal Lomror’s 17 (8)* sealed the game in the final over. This match marked the rise of RCB’s finishing strength under pressure.
- RCB vs PBKS – April 2023 | IPL 2023 | Mohali
- Venue: PCA Stadium, Mohali
- Result: RCB won by 24 runs
- Faf du Plessis (84) and Virat Kohli (59) set the tone with a 134 run opening stand, helping RCB post 174. PBKS faltered in the chase, bowled out for 150. Mohammed Siraj was the standout bowler with 4 wickets, dismantling the middle order. This match showcased RCB’s dominance in both departments and their ability to defend totals efficiently.
Who Has the Better Record – Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Punjab Kings?
The head-to-head battle between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings is as close as it gets, with PBKS narrowly leading 18-17 after 35 matches. Statistically, it’s a fiercely competed rivalry, and the win percentages reflect the razor-thin gap between the two.
When it comes to venue-specific dominance, there hasn’t been a clear stronghold for either side. At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the record is perfectly split: 6 wins each in 12 games. However, RCB have shown greater consistency at Punjab’s home venues. In Mohali, they’ve won 5 out of 9 matches, and they’ve also emerged victorious in the only matches played at HPCA and Dharamshala.
In terms of momentum shifts, PBKS had the upper hand early on; winning the first 3 matches, and then again 5 straight from 2012 to 2015. RCB bounced back with a 4 match streak in the late 2000s. Since 2020, the rivalry has balanced out again, with each team winning 5 of the last 10 clashes.
Memorable Matches Between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings
1) Killer Miller Show – IPL 2013
In one of the most explosive knocks in IPL history, David Miller stunned Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a 38-ball century at Mohali. Chasing a stiff 191, Punjab Kings were tottering at 64/4 when Miller walked in and turned the game on its head. His unbeaten 101 off 38 balls, laced with 8 fours and 7 sixes, left the RCB bowlers clueless. He especially tore into RCB’s death bowling, taking down the likes of R Vinay Kumar and Andrew McDonald. This knock earned him the nickname “Killer Miller” and remains one of the fastest centuries in the league’s history. PBKS ended up winning by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare.
2) Chris Jordan’s Clutch Final Over – IPL 2016
The 2016 nail-biter in Mohali saw Chris Jordan pull off one of the most clutch final overs in IPL history. RCB had set PBKS a target of 176, and Marcus Stoinis was threatening to steal the game away. With 17 needed off the last over, Stoinis smacked a six and a four off the first three balls, bringing the equation down to 6 off 3. But Jordan, holding his nerve, bowled three perfect deliveries without conceding a boundary. RCB won by just 1 run, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The match was a testament to Jordan’s death over skills and RCB’s never-say-die spirit.
3) DK-Lomror Show – IPL 2024
In IPL 2024 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB were in trouble chasing 176 against PBKS. Virat Kohli had anchored the innings with a fluent 77 but fell at a crucial juncture, leaving the lower order under pressure. Enter Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror, the unlikely heroes. With 47 needed off 22, the duo finished the job in style. DK smashed 28 off just 10 balls*, while Lomror chipped in with a blazing 17 off 8*, finishing the match with a boundary in the final over. Their clutch finishing handed RCB a crucial win and kept their playoff campaign on track.
Top Performers in Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings Clashes
Most Runs in RCB vs PBKS Matches
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – 1104 runs in 34 matches
The undisputed king of this clash, Kohli has hammered 6 fifties and 1 century, averaging nearly 35 with a strike rate of 134. His consistency and flair have often carried RCB against Punjab.- Chris Gayle (PBKS & RCB) – 873 runs
The Universe Boss has delivered for both teams, scoring 2 fifties against RCB while playing for PBKS, and smashing 2 centuries vs PBKS in RCB colours—a true showstopper in this rivalry. - AB de Villiers (RCB) – 718 runs
With 7 half centuries, a staggering strike rate of 155, and an average of 44, AB has been a nightmare for PBKS bowlers, blending innovation with brute force. - Most Wickets in RCB vs PBKS Matches
- Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) – 25 wickets
RCB’s spin wizard, Chahal, has repeatedly troubled Punjab’s batting lineup with his flight and guile, often providing crucial breakthroughs. - Harshal Patel (PBKS & RCB) – 16 wickets
Whether it was with the slower ball or pinpoint yorkers, Harshal has struck regularly for both franchises in this rivalry. - Sandeep Sharma (PBKS) – 16 wickets
Known for his swing with the new ball, Sandeep has been a quiet assassin in powerplays, often nabbing RCB’s top order early.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings – Rivalry Facts You Should Know
The RCB vs PBKS rivalry is one of the most unpredictable and gripping battles in IPL history. Here are some wild, lesser-known facts that make this matchup even more intriguing:
Dominance Swings (2016–2020)
From 2016 to 2020, neither team shared wins in a single season.
- RCB did the double thrice; 6 wins
- PBKS did the double twice; 4 wins
- This phase saw absolute season-level domination each year by one side.
- Six Hitting Monster: Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in RCB vs PBKS clashes.
- 49 sixes while playing for RCB vs PBKS
- 13 sixes while playing for PBKS vs RCB
That’s 62 sixes across both jerseys, pure destruction. - RCB Rule Punjab’s Home Turf
Despite Mohali and other venues being PBKS’s fortress, RCB have the better away record:
- 7 wins in 11 matches played across Mohali, HPCA, and Dharamsala.
- Neutral Venues Favour PBKS
In 10 neutral venue matches, PBKS have won 7, showing strong adaptability.
However, the twist?
- Qualifier 1 in 2025 is in Mohali, a venue where RCB have won 5 of 9.
- The final is in Ahmedabad, a neutral ground PBKS love; watch out!<
FAQs – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Head-to-Head Insights
Q1: Who has won more matches – Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Punjab Kings?
Ans: Punjab Kings currently have the edge, winning 18 out of 35 matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have won 17. It’s one of the closest rivalries in IPL history.
Q2: When did Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings last play each other?
Ans: The two last met on April 20, 2025, in Mohali during IPL 2025. PBKS posted 157, but RCB chased it down comfortably with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73 and Devdutt Padikkal contributing 63, winning by 7 wickets.
Q3: Who scored the most runs in Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings matches?
Ans: Virat Kohli is the highest run getter in RCB vs PBKS clashes, amassing 1104 runs in 34 matches, including 6 fifties and 1 century, with a strike rate of 134.