Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings has been a match of intense rivalry in the history of IPL. RCB vs PBKS matches have provided gripping entertainment since the initial meeting, record-risen pursuits and memorable events that leave the fans in the fast-seat.
There have been moments of supremacy by both teams and the star players have come out to perform on their most needed games and turn the tide of the tournament. This competition has over the years not only been decided by the victories and the defeats but is also a sign of stiff competition, intricate play, and loyal fan bases. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline is representative of the changing times and outstanding moments of the Indian Premier league.
Historical Overview
Competition between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) goes back to the first season of the IPL in 2008. Their first match was between RCB, headed by Rahul Dravid, and PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab) headed by Yuvraj Singh. RCB lost, although Dravid sharply forced a 66-run match which marked the beginning of a competing rivalry.
Both teams have enjoyed some dominance over the years. RCB has been very strong on many occasions and in particular with star players such as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. PBKS, however, have demonstrated toughness, and the main performances of the players such as Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh. They have clashed with each other and had their time.
As per the latest statistics, RCB and PBKS have encountered 37 IPL games. The rivalry between the two has been highly competitive with RCB and PBKS winning 19 and 18 matches respectively.
Head-to-Head Summary
| Season | Winner | Venue | Margin | Notable Performer |
| 2008 | RCB | M. Chinnaswamy | 7 wickets | Player X – 65 runs |
| 2008 | PBKS | PCA Stadium | 25 runs | Player Y – 4 wickets |
| 2013 | PBKS | PCA Stadium | 25 runs | Glenn Maxwell – 90 runs |
| 2016 | RCB | M. Chinnaswamy | 82 runs | Virat Kohli – 75 runs |
| 2025 | RCB | Narendra Modi Stadium | 6 runs | Krunal Pandya – 2/17 |
| 2025 | RCB | Narendra Modi Stadium | 7 wickets | Josh Hazlewood – 3/21 |
| 2025 | PBKS | Narendra Modi Stadium | 5 wickets | Shashank – 61* off 30 balls |
| 2025 | RCB | Narendra Modi Stadium | 8 wickets | Romario Shepherd – 17 runs off 9 balls |
Key Matches Timeline
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been involved in an interesting rivalry in the IPL and some incidents characterized their competitive nature. The following chronology is a breakdown of their most memorable matches:
April 18, 2025 – PBKS 157/6 (20.0) vs RCB 159/3 (18.5)
RCB pursued the target of PBKS with a lot of ease in a high scoring contest, courtesy of a scorching 65 plus by Virat Kohli.
April 20, 2025 – PBKS 101/10 (14.1) vs RCB 106/2 (10.0)
The bowlers of RCB prevailed and PBKS was only limited to 101 runs. This was a dominant win and Josh Hazlewood contributed with a 3/21.
June 3, 2025 – IPL Final – RCB 190/9 (20.0) vs PBKS 184/7 (20.0)
RCB won their maiden IPL title in a nail biting final against PBKS by 6 runs. This was a Man of the Match award to Krunal Pandya because he performed well in all aspects.
Not only do these matches bring out the on field talent of the two teams, but also the changing nature of their rivalry through the years.
Memorable Matches & Highlights
| Year | Match Date | Winner | Key Performance | Notes |
| 2013 | May 6 | PBKS | David Miller – 101* off 38 balls | Chased 194 in 18 overs, highest chase at that time |
| 2016 | May 18 | RCB | AB de Villiers – 64 off 35 balls | RCB posted 211/3 in 15 overs; won by 82 runs (DLS method) |
| 2025 | June 3 | RCB | Krunal Pandya – 3/18 & 45 runs | RCB clinched maiden IPL title by defeating PBKS by 6 runs |
Highlights:
2013- PBKS vs RCB (May 6): PBKS chased 194 runs in 18 overs, with David Miller scoring 101 off 38 balls, in the match, one of the highest chases in IPL history, at the time.
2016 – RCB vs PBKS (May 18): AB de Villiers scored a blistering 64 out of 35 balls pushing the RCB to an impressive total of 211/3 in 15 overs. The DLS method carried the day with RCB emerging the winner by 82 runs.
2025 -IPL Final (June 3): It was a close-run final that saw RCB claim their first IPL trophy beating PBKS by 6 runs. The performance by the all-rounder Krunal Pandya caught the eyes of the audience as he received the Player of the Match award after scoring 3 wickets with a total of 18 runs and playing the key role of contributing 45 runs.
These games can be seen as examples of the high rivalry and the unforgettable performances that the RCB vs PBKS rivalry is known to have over the years.
Statistical Analysis
The matches between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been characterized by tightly drawn battles. The following is a complete statistical picture:
Overall Record:
Matches Played: 37
RCB Wins: 19
PBKS Wins: 18
No Result: 0
Batting Highlights:
Highest Team Score: RCB – 241/6 (2025)
Highest Individual Score: Virat Kohli (RCB) – 92 runs
Top Scorer: Virat Kohli (RCB) – 415 runs
Bowling Highlights:
Best Bowling Figures: Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – 3/21 (2025)
Average Wickets Taken: RCB – 5.83; PBKS – 5.89
These figures highlight the competitive spirit of the RCB vs PBKS matches, as both teams have revealed high performances throughout the years.
Overall Stats Comparison
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Highest Score | Best Bowler |
| RCB | 36 | 18 | 18 | 241/6 (2025) | Yuzvendra Chahal – 28 wickets |
| PBKS | 36 | 18 | 18 | 232/2 (2025) | Arshdeep Singh – 23 wickets |
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Recent Encounters & Trends
Over the last three seasons of the IPL, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have participated in a number of high intensity matches, with the former team winning four of their last five encounters. The trend supports the recent superiority of RCB in the competition.
Key Matches Overview:
April 18, 2025 RCB vs PBKS: RCB easily chased 157 / 6 of PBKS with the help of a strong 65/0 of Virat Kohli. The game was characterized by aggressive batting and disciplined bowling of RCB.
May 29, 2025 RCB vs PBKS: RCB reduced PBKS to 101 runs and the star of the show was Josh Hazlewood who bowled 3/21. RCB pursued the target within 10 overs and this indicates their strength in bowling attack.
June 3, 2025 – IPL Final: RCB made an exciting final score of 190/9, and PBKS could not manage the amount to 184/7. Krunal Pandya was awarded thePlayer of the Match after being the all-rounder (3/18 and 45 runs).
Strategic Insights:
The Strategy of RCB: RCB has concentrated on the strategy of the balanced approach so as to balance between aggressive batting and disciplined bowling. Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood are some of the experienced players who have strengthened their team.
The weaknesses at PBKS: PBKS has experienced a lack of consistency especially in the batting line up. Although the team has not discovered a winning combination, players such as Shashank Singh have proved to be promising.
It is expected that there will be close confrontations between RCB and PBKS in the future. The new shape of RCB gives them an advantage, yet the possibility of the PBKS to rise again makes the competition thrilling. Each of the two teams will seek to build on their teams in the coming seasons to have a competitive advantage.
Final Word
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline reflects one of the most competitive and exciting rivalries in IPL history. Both sides have provided fans with memorable matches, record performances and hard fought battles over the years. Although historical data display seasons of either RCB or PBKS supremacy, all matches are still uncertain with the outcome of the matches to be determined by the key performances and the tactical excellence. This ambiguity contributes to the interest and fascination of the competition.
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