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Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL Tips - Powerplay sparks to light up Chinnaswamy

By Sridhar Bhamidi

17 Apr 2025

Sridhar Bhamidi 17 Apr 2025

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL match predictions to be played in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18
Bengaluru hit the most powerplay runs in 5 of their 6 matches this season
Punjab conceded the most powerplay runs in 3 of their last 4 H2Hs at this venue

Another powerplay domination on the cards for RCB? (Getty Images)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL

In a royal top-half battle in the IPL 2025 campaign fixture #34, it’s the turn of Royal Challengers Bengaluru to host Punjab Kings. With both teams level on points and lurking close to the top spot, this match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18, at 7:30 pm IST promises to be a humdinger.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL
Head to Head
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Form
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team News
Punjab Kings Form
Punjab Kings Team News
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL FAQs

After the sensational win for Delhi Capitals via Super Over against the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday, RCB are third and PBKS are fourth in the standings with eight points each. The powerplays could be the decider, and I am putting my money on Bengaluru edging that count.

Bengaluru hit the most powerplay runs in 5 of their 6 matches this season.
Punjab conceded the most runs in the first six overs in 2 of their last 4 matches.
Bengaluru scored the most powerplay runs in 3 of the last 4 matches against Punjab at this venue.
RCB have conceded only 45 runs per powerplay this season, the lowest of all franchises.

Head to Head

This fixture is another closely fought fixture from the records. RCB have 16 wins, and Punjab have 17 from the 33 matches played between the sides.

The Royal Challengers won the last three games in a row, including two last season. Their record at this venue reads 7-5 in 12 matches against Punjab, but the Royal Challengers have won five of the last six such games here.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Form

The Royal Challengers have eight points from six matches (W4, L2) and are one of the four teams with that tally after Wednesday’s match. Their NRR (+0.672) is healthy, giving them a slight edge.

Bengaluru are coming off a stunning nine-wicket win in Jaipur, where they chased down 174 without breaking sweat in 17.3 overs. Virat Kohli scored his second 50 in three games, and he remains their best batter (248 runs, SR 143.35).

Four bowlers had one wicket each against Rajasthan, and that’s reflected even in their seasonal numbers. No bowler has taken double-digit wickets this season, but the four regular ones have combined for 30 scalps.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team News

Royal Challengers look to have zeroed down on their settled side, although there could be a temptation to include someone in place of the misfiring Liam Livingstone.

Punjab Kings Form

Punjab Kings are only marginally below RCB in the points tally, with the same four points from six matches and a slightly lower NRR of +0.172.

The Kings are coming off a stunning 16-run win against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where they defended 111 runs, a new competition record. Yuzvendra Chahal (4 for 28) was the star of the win, as he looks to address his IPL 2025 ER of 10.26.

The game against Kolkata was going smoothly when Punjab raced to 39 off just 3.1 overs. Priyansh Arya’s SR (216) has been excellent this season, but they have struggled whenever captain Shreyas Iyer (three 50s in six matches) hasn’t fired.

Punjab Kings Team News

Josh Inglis got his first game of the season and is unlikely to be benched after just one failure.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL FAQs

Where can I watch the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL live stream.

What time does Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL start?

This Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL match is being played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, starting at 7:30 p.m. IST on Friday, April 18.

Verdict

Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - T20

Both teams go big at the start, which makes this an essential powerplay shoot-out. That said, Punjab’s powerplay batting efficiency hasn’t been complemented by their bowling, while Bengaluru’s bowling in this phase has been very impressive. I am putting my money on RCB scoring more powerplay runs.

RCB more powerplay run

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