Prepare for a thrilling showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 34 of the IPL 2025 season! RCB vs PBKS IPL Scheduled for April 18, 2025, at 07:30 PM IST, this exciting clash will take place at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast or a fantasy cricket player, this RCB vs PBKS match preview provides everything you need—pitch insights, squad details, and a top Dream11 prediction to help you dominate your fantasy leagues. Let’s dive into the action!
RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 34: Match Preview
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings encounter promises to be a high-octane battle in IPL 2025. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, are in fine form, having won 4 out of their 6 matches so far (as per the points table from the KKR vs PBKS Match 31 post). Their recent victory over RR by 12 runs on April 13 showcased their batting depth, with Virat Kohli leading the charge. With a star-studded squad featuring Liam Livingstone, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB will look to leverage their home advantage at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they have a strong record.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, are also in the top four with 4 wins in 6 matches, thanks to a 16-run victory over KKR on April 15 (Match 31). PBKS’s bowling, led by Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28 in Match 31), was the highlight of their last game, defending a modest 111. With explosive players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Arshdeep Singh, PBKS will aim to challenge RCB’s formidable batting lineup. Historically, RCB lead the head-to-head record with 17 wins to PBKS’s 15 in 32 encounters, but PBKS have won 3 of their last 5 meetings, making this clash on April 18, 2025, a highly anticipated one.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is a batting paradise, known for its flat pitch and short boundaries that favor high-scoring games. In IPL 2024, the average first-innings score at Chinnaswamy was 186, with 200-plus totals being chased down on four occasions. The surface offers little assistance to bowlers, though pacers can find some early bounce, as seen with bowlers like Josh Hazlewood in past games. Being a night game, dew could play a significant role, often making chasing the preferred option, with teams batting second winning 7 out of 10 matches in recent seasons.
- Average 1st Innings Score: ~186 runs (IPL 2024 stats)
- Key Factors: Flat pitch, short boundaries, minimal assistance for bowlers, and dew favoring chasing teams in night games.
- Toss Prediction: Captains might opt to bowl first to exploit the dew factor.
With RCB’s explosive batting and PBKS’s aggressive approach, this pitch could set the stage for a run-fest on April 18, 2025!
RCB vs PBKS Squads for IPL 2025 Match 34
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jitesh Sharma | Virat Kohli | Manoj Bhandage | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| Philip Salt | Rajat Patidar (C) | Krunal Pandya | Josh Hazlewood |
| Swastik Chikara | Liam Livingstone | Nuwan Thushara | |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Romario Shepherd | Lungi Ngidi | |
| Tim David | Jacob Bethell | Yash Dayal | |
| Swapnil Singh | Rasikh Dar Salam | ||
| Mohit Rathee | Suyash Sharma | ||
| Abhinandan Singh |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Rajat Patidar
- Star Players: Virat Kohli (Batter), Liam Livingstone (All-Rounder), Josh Hazlewood (Bowler)
- Strength: Explosive batting lineup with a strong pace bowling unit
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prabhsimran Singh | Nehal Wadhera | Musheer Khan | Harpreet Brar |
| Vishnu Vinod | Harnoor Singh | Marcus Stoinis | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| Josh Inglis | Shreyas Iyer (C) | Glenn Maxwell | Arshdeep Singh |
| Pyla Avinash | Praveen Dubey | Lockie Ferguson | |
| Priyansh Arya | Azmatullah Omarzai | Xavier Bartlett | |
| Aaron Hardie | Kuldeep Sen | ||
| Marco Jansen | Vijaykumar Vyshak | ||
| Suryansh Shedge | Yash Thakur | ||
| Shashank Singh |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Star Players: Shreyas Iyer (Batter), Glenn Maxwell (All-Rounder), Yuzvendra Chahal (Bowler)
- Strength: Aggressive batting lineup and a versatile all-round bowling attack
RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction for IPL 2025 Match 34
Crafting a winning Dream11 team for RCB vs PBKS requires selecting in-form players, all-rounders, and match-winners. Here’s our expert Dream11 prediction based on current form, pitch conditions, and head-to-head stats:
Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeepers: Philip Salt (RCB), Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
- Batters: Virat Kohli (RCB), Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Devdutt Padikkal (RCB)
- Allrounders: Liam Livingstone (RCB), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS), Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood (RCB), Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB)
- Captain: Virat Kohli (consistent performer at Chinnaswamy, 67 off 42 in Match 20)
- Vice-Captain: Glenn Maxwell (all-round impact, 37 off 12 in Match 27)
Key Players to Watch
- Virat Kohli: RCB’s batting mainstay, with a strong record at Chinnaswamy, scoring 67 off 42 in Match 20.
- Glenn Maxwell: PBKS’s all-rounder, a game-changer with bat and ball, scoring 37 off 12 in Match 27.
- Shreyas Iyer: PBKS’s captain, in form with 82 off 36 in Match 27, expected to anchor the innings.
- Liam Livingstone: RCB’s all-rounder, capable of turning the game with his power-hitting and off-spin.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: PBKS’s spinner, in top form with 4/28 in Match 31, likely to exploit any assistance on the pitch.
Fantasy Tips
- Prioritize RCB batters due to the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy pitch and their familiarity with home conditions.
- Include all-rounders like Livingstone and Maxwell for their dual impact.
- Pick pacers like Hazlewood and Kumar for early wickets, as the pitch offers some bounce initially [Web ID: 4].
Why RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 34 is a Must-Watch
- High-Scoring Potential: The Chinnaswamy pitch favors batters, promising a run-fest with both teams’ firepower.
- Key Battles: Kohli vs Chahal and Maxwell vs Hazlewood will be thrilling to watch.
- Playoff Implications: Both teams are in the top four, and a win here could solidify their IPL 2025 playoff chances.
How to Watch RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 34
- Date & Time: April 18, 2025, 07:30 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App and Website
- Live Score: CricBuzz
Conclusion
The RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 34 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to be a high-scoring thriller. With RCB’s home advantage and PBKS’s recent form, fans are in for a treat. Use our pitch report, squad analysis, and Dream11 prediction to stay ahead in your fantasy leagues. Will RCB continue their dominance at home, or will PBKS pull off an upset? Share your predictions in the comments below!
