By Chirag - Apr 18, 2025 10:59 AM
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 action heats up, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will square off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a highly anticipated encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, 18th April 2025.
Both teams have had impressive campaigns so far, with four wins each from six matches, and are placed comfortably on the points table. RCB come into the contest on the back of a dominant nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals. However, the Bengaluru-based franchise is still in search of their first home victory of the season, having lost both games at their fortress.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, pulled off a remarkable defense of 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in their last outing – the lowest total ever defended in IPL history. With both sides brimming with confidence, the clash promises to be a high-voltage affair.
Here are three bowlers who could make a big impact and emerge as the top wicket-takers in today’s RCB vs PBKS fixture:
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the most consistent wicket-taker for Punjab this season. In 6 matches, he has taken eight wickets at an average of 25.12 and an economy rate of 8.73. Arshdeep has been effective both with the new ball and in the death overs, making him a key figure in Punjab’s bowling attack.
In the previous match against KKR, he bowled a crucial spell under immense pressure, returning with figures of 1/11 from three overs, which included a maiden. Given the batting-friendly conditions at Chinnaswamy, PBKS will bank on Arshdeep’s control and ability to strike early to put RCB on the back foot.
RCB’s left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has quietly gone about doing his job this season. Operating as the third seamer behind veterans Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dayal has picked up seven wickets in six games at an average of 27.14.
He was among the wicket-takers in RCB’s recent win against Rajasthan, dismissing the in-form Riyan Parag. Dayal’s ability to break partnerships during the middle overs has been vital for RCB. At a high-scoring venue like Chinnaswamy, his variations and accuracy could prove to be decisive against Punjab’s aggressive batting unit.
Veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal showed glimpses of his old magic in Punjab’s recent victory over Kolkata. He claimed 4/28 in four overs, picking up key wickets including those of Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh.
After a quiet start to the season, Chahal now has six wickets from as many games. His familiarity with the Chinnaswamy conditions—having played several years with RCB—makes him a major threat. With spin often playing a crucial role in breaking momentum, Chahal will look to make inroads in the RCB middle order.
With both RCB and PBKS in good form and looking to continue their winning momentum, the contest at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to be a cracker. On a surface that generally favors batters, the performance of these bowlers could well be the difference-maker. Keep an eye on Arshdeep, Dayal, and Chahal—they could be today’s game-changers.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Who will win today's IPL match - RCB or PBKS? Ai Prediction
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