📅 Match Preview – IPL 2025, Match 34
The IPL 2025 continues with a high-octane clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on April 18, 2025. With both teams in top-four contention, this encounter holds serious playoff implications.
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📍 Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
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🕢 Date & Time: April 18, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
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📺 Live Streaming: JioHotstar & JioStar Network
📊 RCB vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record
Matches | RCB Wins | PBKS Wins |
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33 | 16 | 17 |
Although PBKS leads the overall tally, RCB has won 7 out of 12 encounters at the Chinnaswamy, making them strong at home.
🌦️ Pitch Report – M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
The Chinnaswamy pitch is historically a batter’s paradise, thanks to short boundaries and a flat surface. However, recent games have shown early movement for pacers in the first innings.
Key Insights:
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Average 1st Inn Score: 190+
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Dew is expected in the second innings – chasing teams have an advantage
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A score of 200+ is ideal while batting first
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Spinners may struggle; pacers dominate early overs
🧠 RCB Team Preview – Playing 11 & Strategy
RCB is currently placed 3rd on the points table with a balanced squad led by the in-form Virat Kohli and explosive opener Phil Salt.
✅ Probable Playing 11:
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Phil Salt (wk)
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Virat Kohli
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Devdutt Padikkal
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Rajat Patidar (C)
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Liam Livingstone
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Jitesh Sharma
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Tim David
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Krunal Pandya
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar
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Josh Hazlewood
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Yash Dayal
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
🔑 Key Players:
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Virat Kohli – Mr. Consistent, especially at Chinnaswamy
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Phil Salt – Aggressive starts in powerplay
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Josh Hazlewood – Controlled death bowling
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Krunal Pandya – Useful all-rounder pick
🔥 PBKS Team Preview – Playing 11 & Strategy
PBKS, sitting 4th, defended a record-low total of 112 in their last match. Their bowling attack is on fire, especially with Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen.
✅ Probable Playing 12:
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Priyansh Arya
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Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
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Shreyas Iyer (C)
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Josh Inglis
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Nehal Wadhera
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Glenn Maxwell
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Shashank Singh
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Marco Jansen
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Xavier Bartlett
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Suryansh Shedge
🔑 Key Players:
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Shreyas Iyer – Anchor and finisher
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Yuzvendra Chahal – Knows Chinnaswamy conditions well
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Marco Jansen – Picks early wickets
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Glenn Maxwell – X-factor with bat and ball
🧩 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Dream11 Team Picks
🏆 Best Picks for Small Leagues:
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Virat Kohli (C)
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Shreyas Iyer (VC)
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Josh Hazlewood
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Phil Salt
🧨 Grand League Trump Cards:
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Krunal Pandya
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Nehal Wadhera
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Xavier Bartlett
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Rajat Patidar
💡 Fantasy Tip:
Focus on top-order batters and early-bowling pacers due to pitch behavior. Avoid picking too many spinners.
🔄 Expected Bowling Roles:
RCB:
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Hazlewood & Bhuvneshwar – Powerplay & Death
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Yash Dayal – Middle overs
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Krunal Pandya – Key middle overs
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Suyash – If spin needed
PBKS:
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Arshdeep & Bartlett – Death overs
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Chahal – Middle overs
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Jansen – With new ball
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Stoinis (if plays) – Supporting role
📈 RCB vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
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✅ RCB hold a slight edge due to home advantage
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✅ PBKS can pull an upset if they strike early with the ball
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✅ Toss winner should bowl first
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✅ 200+ score may be needed batting first
Prediction: RCB to win if Kohli fires and pacers hold in the death. PBKS to win if they dismiss Kohli early and restrict in powerplay.
❓ RCB vs PBKS – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who will win today’s IPL 2025 match – RCB or PBKS?
RCB are slight favorites due to home conditions and recent form, but PBKS are capable of an upset.
Q2. Who are the best fantasy picks for RCB vs PBKS?
Top picks include Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Q3. What is the pitch report for the Chinnaswamy Stadium?
Batting-friendly surface with short boundaries. Dew assists chasing. Bowlers struggle in second innings.
Q4. Who is the best captain/vice-captain choice for Dream11?
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Captain: Virat Kohli or Phil Salt
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Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer or Josh Hazlewood
Q5. Where to watch RCB vs PBKS live?
Watch the match live on JioHotstar (app and website) and JioStar Network TV channels.