RCB vs PBKS

RCB vs PBKS: A Fiery IPL Rivalry - The Last 5 Years Head-to-Head Decoded 

(Trending Update: June 3, 2025)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) thrives on intense rivalries, and the clashes between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) consistently deliver high-octane drama. As we approach the crucial playoff stages of IPL 2025, the history between these two teams adds an extra layer of intrigue to any potential encounter. Let's dive deep into their head-to-head record over the last five completed seasons (2020-2024), unpacking the stats, the stars, and the stories.

The Stakes in 2025 (Trending Update - June 3, 2025)

The IPL 2025 league stage is reaching its boiling point! As of today, both RCB and PBKS find themselves locked in a tight mid-table scramble for playoff qualification. RCB, fueled by their passionate home crowd, has shown recent momentum with crucial wins, while PBKS desperately needs victories to keep their hopes alive. A potential RCB vs PBKS clash in the playoffs this year would ignite this rivalry with unprecedented stakes, making their past encounters even more relevant. Fans are buzzing on social media (#RCBvsPBKS, #PlayoffRace2025) about the possibility of these two explosive batting lineups facing off under knockout pressure.

RCB vs PBKS: Head-to-Head Snapshot (IPL 2020 - IPL 2024)

Over the last five IPL seasons, these teams have faced each other 10 times. Here’s the breakdown:

Season	Matches Played	RCB Wins	PBKS Wins	Winning % (RCB)	Winning % (PBKS)	Most Runs	Most Wickets
2020	2	1	1	50%	50%	KL Rahul (PBKS) - 194	Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) - 4
2021	2	0	2	0%	100%	KL Rahul (PBKS) - 91	Mohammed Shami (PBKS) - 3
2022	2	1	1	50%	50%	Virat Kohli (RCB) - 66	Kagiso Rabada (PBKS) - 4
2023	2	1	1	50%	50%	Faf du Plessis (RCB) - 128	Mohammed Siraj (RCB) - 5
2024	2	2	0	100%	0%	Virat Kohli (RCB) - 113	Yash Dayal (RCB) - 3
Total	10	5	5	50%	50%	KL Rahul (PBKS) - 285	Harshal Patel (RCB) - 10

Source: Official IPL Website Stats Repository & ESPNcricinfo Database - Data compiled for seasons 2020-2024

A Season-by-Season Breakdown: The Rollercoaster Ride

1.  IPL 2020 (UAE): Split Decision (1-1)

•        Match 1 (Dubai): A KL Rahul masterclass (132* off 69 balls) powered PBKS to a massive 206/3. RCB, led by a young Devdutt Padikkal (64), fought hard but fell short by 97 runs. PBKS Win.
•        Match 2 (Sharjah): Chris Gayle's absence was felt as PBKS faltered chasing 159. RCB's Yuzvendra Chahal (2/23) and Washington Sundar (2/20) strangled the chase. RCB Win.
•        Takeaway: High scores and contrasting fortunes defined their UAE clashes.

2.  IPL 2021 (India/UAE): Punjab Kings Dominate (0-2)

•        Match 1 (Ahmedabad): A low-scoring thriller! PBKS defended a modest 179 thanks to brilliant death bowling by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, restricting RCB by 34 runs. PBKS Win.
•        Match 2 (Sharjah): Another clinical PBKS performance. KL Rahul (91*) anchored the chase of 145 comfortably with 7 wickets in hand. Harpreet Brar (3/19) stunned RCB's middle order. PBKS Win.
•        Takeaway: PBKS showcased superior bowling and chasing prowess this season.

3.  IPL 2022: Back to Parity (1-1)

•        Match 1 (DY Patil): RCB edged a close contest. Faf du Plessis (88) and Virat Kohli (41*) guided them to 205/2. PBKS fought valiantly (Liam Livingstone 70) but fell short by 6 runs. RCB Win.
•        Match 2 (Brabourne): Jonny Bairstow (66) and Shikhar Dhawan (43) set up a strong PBKS total. Kagiso Rabada (3/21) then dismantled RCB's chase, securing a 54-run win. PBKS Win.
•        Takeaway: High-scoring encounters continued, with both teams securing convincing wins.

4.  IPL 2023: Another Share of the Spoils (1-1)

•        Match 1 (Mohali): Faf du Plessis (84) and Virat Kohli (59) put on a show as RCB posted 174/4. Mohammed Siraj (4/21) then produced a fiery spell to bowl PBKS out for 150. RCB Win.
•        Match 2 (Bengaluru): Liam Livingstone (70 off 42) and Harpreet Bhatia (41 off 28) helped PBKS chase down RCB's 199/5 with 4 balls to spare in a last-over thriller. Prabhsimran Singh also starred with 46. PBKS Win.
•        Takeaway: Close finishes became the norm, highlighting the competitive balance.

5.  IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Reign Supreme (2-0)

•        Match 1 (Bengaluru): Virat Kohli announced his return to form spectacularly with a magnificent 92* off just 47 balls. RCB posted a daunting 241/7. Despite Shashank Singh's valiant 41*, PBKS fell short by 60 runs. RCB Win.
•        Match 2 (Dharamsala): Rajat Patidar (55) and Cameron Green (46) propelled RCB to 187/9. PBKS' chase never gained momentum against a disciplined RCB attack (led by Swapnil Singh 2/28), losing by 47 runs. RCB Win.
•        Takeaway: RCB dominated both encounters, showcasing their improved bowling depth alongside Kohli's resurgence.

Key Trends & What Makes This Rivalry Tick

•    Batting Powerhouses: Both teams boast formidable batting lineups capable of setting or chasing huge totals. Kohli, du Plessis, Rahul, Dhawan, and emerging talents like Patidar and Prabhsimran have lit up these clashes.
•    Bowling Deciders: Often, the team whose bowling unit holds its nerve under pressure (like Siraj in 2023, Rabada in 2022, or RCB's collective effort in 2024) has emerged victorious.
•    Home Advantage? Interestingly, results have been mixed at traditional home grounds (Chinnaswamy for RCB, Mohali/Dharamsala for PBKS). Neutral venues during COVID seasons also saw split results.
•    Individual Brilliance: Matches are frequently decided by standout individual performances – Rahul's 132*, Kohli's 92*, Livingstone's blitzes, Chahal's/Siraj's spells.
•    Unpredictability: With a perfect 5-5 split over the last 5 seasons, predicting an outcome is genuinely difficult. Form on the day is paramount.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications (June 3, 2025)

The history books show an even contest, but momentum is key in T20 cricket. RCB enters the final league games with confidence after stringing together wins, their batting firing and bowling finding consistency. PBKS faces a must-win scenario, relying heavily on their explosive top order and hoping their bowlers can contain RCB's power hitters.

If these two collide in the IPL 2025 Eliminator or Qualifier, expect fireworks. The weight of recent history (RCB's 2024 sweep) vs PBKS's need for redemption, combined with the knockout pressure, promises a match etched in IPL folklore. Will RCB extend their dominance, or will PBKS reignite their 2021 form when it matters most? The Chinnaswamy or Narendra Modi Stadium would be an electric cauldron for such a clash.

**Conclusion**

The RCB vs PBKS rivalry over the last five years has been a microcosm of the IPL's excitement: high scores, dramatic collapses, individual genius, and nail-biting finishes. With a dead-even 5-5 head-to-head record since 2020, there's no clear psychological edge. As IPL 2025 hurtles towards its climax, with both teams fighting for playoff survival, their rich history adds immense significance to any potential meeting. One thing is guaranteed: when RCB and PBKS lock horns, especially under the playoff lights, cricket fans are in for a spectacular treat. Stay tuned!