When punjab kings

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: When Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Mullanpur on Thursday, it will be more than just a match — it will be a battle of ambition, redemption, and shared legacies. Both teams are chasing the same elusive goal: their first IPL title.

This is PBKS’ first playoff appearance since 2014, when they topped the league table but lost the final to Kolkata Knight Riders. Interestingly, RCB’s last top-two finish came in 2016 — a season in which they too faltered in the final, against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Since then, both franchises have struggled with consistency in the playoffs, but 2025 marks a refreshing turn of fortunes.

PBKS' transformation this season has been led by its uncapped Indian core. The likes of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Harpreet Brar have consistently delivered, offering the team both balance and flair. On the other hand, RCB have moved away from their reputation of being a star-studded but top-heavy unit. This year, they are led by Rajat Patidar, with Jitesh Sharma as his deputy, both boasting limited international experience but strong IPL form.