Final result
Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets
Player of the match: TH David
Result · Indian Premier League
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings
Result · Indian Premier League
H2H · RCB 19–18 PBKSVenue par · 196Chase success · 55%POTM · TH David
Match preview & overview
Punjab Kings Knock Over RCB for 95 to Chase Down Meagre Total at Chinnaswamy
Punjab Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 5 wickets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 18 April 2025, chasing down a target of 96 to finish on 98/5. The result was shaped almost entirely by RCB's disastrous start with the bat: four wickets fell for 33 runs inside the powerplay, and the innings never recovered. Bangalore were bowled out for 95/9, a score that looks all the more stark against a ground that averages 196 in the first innings across 142 T20 matches. Punjab Kings, who had chosen to field after winning the toss, made the chase look straightforward. TH David was named Player of the Match.
Punjab Kings' own powerplay was measured rather than explosive: 46 runs for 2 wickets, well ahead of the required rate but not reckless. They lost a further 3 wickets in the middle overs whilst scoring 52, which added a brief layer of nerves, but the target was simply too small to threaten a genuine collapse. The victory ends a run of four consecutive defeats to RCB, including three losses already in 2025.
Pitch report & venue insights
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — 142-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2001–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
142
T20 matches hosted
196
Avg 1st-innings score
177
Avg 2nd-innings score
55%
Chase success rate
45
Avg powerplay runs
80%
Toss-field rate
Head-to-head record
Royal Challengers Bangalore lead the series 19–18 from 37 completed matches
Seasons 2007–2025
Series standing
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Punjab Kings37
Total meetings
0
No results
10
In last 10
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Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
RCB's powerplay collapse set the tone
Royal Challengers Bangalore lost 4 wickets for just 33 runs in the powerplay, effectively handing Punjab Kings the match before the middle overs began. Finishing on 95/9 at a ground that averages 196 in the first innings, RCB's batting fell miles short of par.
Angle 02
Punjab Kings' powerplay steadied the chase
Angle 03
TH David named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Chinnaswamy produced an unusually low-scoring game
Angle 05
RCB's head-to-head lead evaporates with this defeat
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may be of interest given how dramatically RCB's innings collapsed through the powerplay; identifying which openers provide consistent starts has been difficult this season.
- At a venue where chasers succeed 55% of the time across 142 matches, toss outcome lines could carry more weight than usual at Chinnaswamy.
- Total runs markets at this ground carry inherent variance: the average first-innings score is 196, yet this match produced just 95 in the first dig, illustrating how wide the distribution can be.
- Player of the Match markets may favour batting contributions in low-scoring games at this ground, given the format tends to reward the individual who stabilises a chase rather than a bowler working through a short innings.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings
Who won the RCB vs Punjab Kings IPL match on 18 April 2025?
Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Royal Challengers Bangalore were bowled out for 95/9, and Punjab Kings chased the target down finishing on 98/5.
Who was Player of the Match in RCB vs Punjab Kings on 18 April 2025?
TH David of Punjab Kings was named Player of the Match for his performance during the chase. His innings helped Punjab Kings successfully pursue RCB's modest target of 96.
What was the head-to-head record between RCB and Punjab Kings before this match?
Heading into 18 April 2025, Royal Challengers Bangalore led the head-to-head 19 wins to 18 from 37 meetings. RCB had also won the previous four encounters, including three times in 2025 alone.
Where to watch RCB and Punjab Kings IPL matches in the UK?
IPL fixtures are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. Coverage schedules and match times can be found on the Sky Sports website.
What is the average score at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in T20 cricket?
Across 142 matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the average first-innings score is 196 and the average second-innings score is 177. Chasers win approximately 55% of the time at the ground, and 76% of toss winners have chosen to field.
How did RCB's batting collapse happen against Punjab Kings?
Royal Challengers Bangalore lost 4 wickets for 33 runs in the powerplay, which wrecked the foundation of their innings. They managed a further 62 runs in the middle overs but fell to 95/9 at the close, well below the ground's average first-innings score of 196.
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Photo credits (3)
- Rohit Sharma — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source
- Jasprit Bumrah — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source
- Ravichandran Ashwin — photo by Dee03, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source