Match 34 of IPL 2025 sees RCB take on PBKS at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Explore team news, pitch report, playing XI, Dream11 tips, and more!
📅 Match Details
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings
Match No.: 34
Date: April 18, 2025 (Friday)
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Live Streaming: JioCinema | TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
📍 Venue Insights: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Chinnaswamy Stadium is known as a batting paradise. Short boundaries and a flat deck make it ideal for high-scoring games. Bowlers need to rely on variations and pace changes to survive.
Average 1st Innings Score: 185+
Chasing Team Advantage: Yes
Spin vs Pace: Spinners can get some help if the surface is dry
🌦️ Weather Report – April 18, 2025
Condition: Partly Cloudy, slight chance of dew later
Temperature: 32°C
Humidity: 33%
Rain Chances: Less than 5%
⚔️ Head-to-Head: RCB vs PBKS
| Stat | RCB | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 | 32 |
| Wins | 15 | 17 |
| Last 5 Matches (H2H) | RCB: 2 | PBKS: 3 |
| Last Season (2024) Wins | 1 each | 1 each |
PBKS has a slight edge historically, but RCB is dominant at home.
🧑💼 Team Form – Last 5 Matches
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅
Punjab Kings (PBKS): ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅
Both teams have 8 points and are fighting for the top 4 spots. Net run rate is the key differentiator.
🔍 Probable Playing 11s
🔴 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Faf du Plessis
Virat Kohli
Rajat Patidar
Glenn Maxwell
Dinesh Karthik (WK)
Mahipal Lomror
Wanindu Hasaranga
Karn Sharma
Josh Hazlewood
Mohammed Siraj
Yash Dayal
🔴 Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Shikhar Dhawan (C)
Jonny Bairstow
Liam Livingstone
Jitesh Sharma (WK)
Sam Curran
Rishi Dhawan
Sikandar Raza
Harpreet Brar
Rahul Chahar
Kagiso Rabada
Arshdeep Singh
💡 Key Players to Watch
⭐ RCB
Virat Kohli – Forming solid starts, anchoring innings
Dinesh Karthik – Explosive finisher
Hazlewood & Siraj – Wicket-taking duo with experience
⭐ PBKS
Liam Livingstone – X-factor middle-order blaster
Sam Curran – All-round brilliance
Arshdeep Singh – Powerplay and death overs expert
🧠 RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Fantasy Team Prediction
🏏 Top Picks
Captain: Virat Kohli
Vice-Captain: Sam Curran
Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, Dinesh Karthik
Batters: Kohli, Livingstone, du Plessis
All-rounders: Sam Curran, Hasaranga
Bowlers: Hazlewood, Arshdeep, Chahar
Differentials: Mahipal Lomror, Sikandar Raza
📈 Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
The odds are balanced, but the home advantage, crowd support, and form of Virat Kohli could tilt it in RCB’s favor.
✅ Our Prediction: RCB to win a high-scoring match
📌 IPL 2025 Points Table Before Match 34
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 7 | 6 | 1 | 12 | +1.235 |
| RR | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | +0.987 |
| RCB | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.624 |
| PBKS | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.517 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
