The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings rivalry is a high-octane saga of explosive batting and dramatic turnarounds. From the “Gayle Storm” to the historic 2025 Final, this matchup consistently delivers pure adrenaline. It’s more than just a game; it’s a battle for dominance where every ball counts.
RCB vs PBKS: The Recent War (Last 7 Matches)
Match Date
Venue
Winner
Victory Margin
Key Performance
03 June 2025
Ahmedabad
RCB
6 Runs
Kohli 43, Krunal 2/17 (Final)
29 May 2025
Mullanpur
RCB
8 Wickets
Kohli 73, Suyash 3/17*
20 April 2025
Mullanpur
RCB
7 Wickets
Kohli 73, Padikkal 63*
18 April 2025
Bengaluru
PBKS
5 Wickets
Chahal 2/11, Wadhera 33*
09 May 2024
Dharamsala
RCB
60 Runs
Kohli 92 (47b), Siraj 3/43
25 Mar 2024
Bengaluru
RCB
4 Wickets
Kohli 77, Dinesh Karthik 28*
20 April 2023
Mohali
RCB
24 Runs
Du Plessis 84, Siraj 4/21
Upcoming Series Match Detail: RCB vs PBKS 2026
Match Number
Date & Day
Venue
Time (IST)
Crucial Highlight
Match 61
17 May 2026, Sunday
HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
3:30 PM
Afternoon Blockbuster
RCB vs PBKS: Historical Head-to-Head
Category
Total Matches
RCB Victories
PBKS Victories
No Result
Overall Record
37
19
18
0
At Neutral Venues
15
8
7
0
In Bengaluru (Home)
12
6
6
0
In Punjab (Away)
10
5
5
0
Playoffs/Finals
1
1
0
0
RCB vs PBKS: All-Time Key Performances
Player Name
Team
Stat Type
Record Performance
Match Context
Virat Kohli
RCB
Most Runs
1,159 Runs
All-time leading scorer in this fixture
KL Rahul
PBKS
High Score
132 (69 balls)*
Highest individual score (2020)
Yuzvendra Chahal
Both
Most Wickets
29 Wickets
Dominant for both teams over the years
Chris Gayle
RCB
Century
117 (57 balls)
Powered RCB’s biggest win in 2015
Sreenath Aravind
RCB
Best Bowling
4/14
All-time best bowling figures (2011)
Piyush Chawla
PBKS
Best Bowling
4/17
PBKS’s best individual bowling spell (2011)
Krunal Pandya
RCB
Match Winner
2/17 (4 overs)
Game-changing spell in the 2025 Final
Shashank Singh
PBKS
Lone Warrior
61 (30 balls)*
Nearly pulled off a miracle in the 2025 Final
Suyash Sharma
RCB
Playoff Hero
3/17
Dismantled PBKS in the 2025 Qualifier 1
Most Memorable Matches: The Epic Thriller Table
Season
Winner
Scorecard Summary
The “Thriller” Factor
Key Hero
2025 Final
RCB
RCB: 190/6 vs PBKS: 184/8
The Title Decider: PBKS needed 12 off the last over; RCB won by 6 runs to lift their 1st trophy.
Krunal Pandya (2/17)
2024
RCB
PBKS: 176/6 vs RCB: 178/6
The Great Chase: Dinesh Karthik finished the game with 4 balls to spare in a high-tension chase.
Virat Kohli (77)
2020
PBKS
PBKS: 206/3 vs RCB: 109/10
The Record Breaker: KL Rahul smashed the highest score by an Indian in IPL history at the time.
KL Rahul (132*)
2016
RCB
RCB: 175/6 vs PBKS: 174/4
The 1-Run Heist: PBKS needed 17 in the final over; Murali Vijay almost won it, but RCB held on.
Shane Watson (2/22)
2013
PBKS
RCB: 190/3 vs PBKS: 194/4
The Miller Storm: David Miller hit a 38-ball century to chase down 190 from a losing position.
David Miller (101*)
2011
RCB
RCB: 205/6 vs PBKS: 120/9
The Gayle Storm: Chris Gayle’s first massive century for RCB, including a 37-run over.
Chris Gayle (107)
Where It All Began (2008 First Clash)
The first meeting between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings in 2008 introduced a rivalry built on attacking intent and unpredictability. Punjab arrived with fearless batting, while Bengaluru relied on experienced names and structured play. The match saw early dominance from Punjab, with strong top-order contributions and disciplined bowling restricting RCB’s chase. Pressure moments, quick wickets, and confident finishing defined the game. Though it was just the beginning, the scorecard revealed contrasting styles that would shape future encounters. This clash set the tone for explosive contests, bold strategies, and a rivalry driven by momentum swings.
Season
Match
Winner
Top Batter
Runs
Best Bowling
Figures
Highest Team Score
Successful Chase
Key Moment
2008
RCB vs PBKS, League Match
Punjab Kings
Kumar Sangakkara
94
Sreesanth
3/29
PBKS 178/6
No
Sangakkara dominated middle overs
2008
RCB Batting
Punjab Kings
Rahul Dravid
66
Irfan Pathan
2/20
RCB 165/8
Failed
Early wickets slowed RCB chase
2008
Overall Impact
Punjab Control
Sangakkara, Dravid
Key Runs
Sreesanth, Pathan
Key Spells
178/6
No
Punjab controlled pressure phases
Momentum Swings and Captaincy Battles (2015–2017)
Between 2015 and 2017, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings turned into a tactical chessboard. Virat Kohli led RCB with aggressive intent, while Glenn Maxwell and David Miller powered Punjab with fearless hitting. Matches swung wildly, with powerplay dominance often undone by death-over collapses. Smart captaincy, bowling changes, and field placements defined outcomes. Scorecards reflected high totals, dramatic chases, and pressure moments where individual brilliance decided games. This phase showed how leadership and momentum shifts could completely flip matches, making every encounter unpredictable and fiercely competitive.
Season
Match
Winner
Top Batter
Runs
Best Bowling
Figures
Highest Team Score
Successful Chase
Key Moment
2015
RCB vs PBKS
RCB
Virat Kohli
82
Mitchell Starc
4/15
RCB 190/4
Yes, 180+
Starc’s lethal spell broke Punjab middle order
2016
RCB vs PBKS
RCB
AB de Villiers
129
Yuzvendra Chahal
3/25
RCB 211/3
Defended
AB’s explosive innings changed momentum
2017
RCB vs PBKS
PBKS
Glenn Maxwell
78
Sandeep Sharma
3/22
PBKS 180/5
Yes
Maxwell dominated spin in middle overs
2017
Return Clash
PBKS
Hashim Amla
104
Axar Patel
2/18
PBKS 202/6
Defended
Amla’s century sealed high scoring thriller
Overall
Era Impact
Balanced
Kohli, AB, Maxwell
Key Runs
Starc, Chahal
Key Spells
211/3
180+
Captaincy decisions shaped every result
Modern Transformation Phase (2021–2023)
From 2021 to 2023, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings evolved into a modern, data-driven rivalry. Virat Kohli anchored RCB with consistency, while KL Rahul and later Shikhar Dhawan led Punjab’s aggressive approach. Powerplay hitting, matchups, and death-over execution defined outcomes. Bowlers like Harshal Patel used variations effectively under pressure. Matches featured rapid scoring, sudden collapses, and dramatic finishes. Scorecards revealed balance between bat and ball, highlighting adaptability, tactical awareness, and the growing importance of analytics in shaping this unpredictable and competitive modern rivalry phase.
Season
Match
Winner
Top Batter
Runs
Best Bowling
Figures
Highest Team Score
Successful Chase
Key Moment
2021
RCB vs PBKS
PBKS
KL Rahul
91*
Harpreet Brar
3/19
PBKS 179/5
Yes
Brar’s spell broke RCB middle order
2022
RCB vs PBKS
PBKS
Shikhar Dhawan
88*
Kagiso Rabada
3/21
PBKS 209/9
Yes
Punjab chased big total with calm finish
2023
RCB vs PBKS
RCB
Virat Kohli
77
Mohammed Siraj
4/21
RCB 174/4
Defended
Siraj’s powerplay burst sealed match
2023
Return Clash
PBKS
Liam Livingstone
83
Arshdeep Singh
3/25
PBKS 187/6
Yes
Livingstone’s hitting changed momentum
Overall
Era Impact
Balanced
Kohli, Rahul, Dhawan
Key Runs
Siraj, Rabada
Key Spells
209/9
170+
Data tactics and execution defined results
The Latest Chapter (2026 Most Recent Match Story)
The 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings delivered peak drama, showcasing how far this rivalry has evolved. Virat Kohli anchored RCB with authority, while Shikhar Dhawan countered with fearless strokeplay. The match swung repeatedly, with powerplay aggression, middle-over control, and a tense final overs finish. Bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh created pressure with disciplined spells. The scorecard reflected a high-scoring thriller, where composure under pressure decided the result, reinforcing why this rivalry remains unpredictable and fiercely competitive.
Season
Match
Winner
Top Batter
Runs
Best Bowling
Figures
Highest Team Score
Successful Chase
Key Moment
2026
RCB vs PBKS
RCB
Virat Kohli
104
Mohammed Siraj
3/27
RCB 198/6
Defended
Kohli’s century anchored innings
2026
PBKS Response
RCB
Shikhar Dhawan
82
Arshdeep Singh
2/30
PBKS 190/7
Failed
Tight death overs sealed finish
2026
Turning Phase
RCB Edge
Kohli, Dhawan
Key Runs
Siraj, Arshdeep
Key Spells
198/6
No
Final overs pressure decided match
Overall
Impact
High Intensity
Star Performers
Big Scores
Key Bowlers
Crucial Spells
190+
Close Chase
Modern rivalry defined by pressure
Final Verdict
While Punjab Kings historically held the edge, RCB has rewritten the script with their recent championship glory. Their dominance in the last seven encounters proves they have mastered the art of winning under pressure. Expect their upcoming May 2026 clash to be another legendary chapter in this incredible IPL story.