PBKS vs RCB Head to Head Timeline: Every IPL Match, Record and Stat (2008-2026)
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have shared 37 IPL battles since 2008, and this rivalry gave us the 2025 final that cricket fans are still talking about. Check the full IPL 2026 schedule to see when these two meet next.
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 37 |
| RCB Wins | 19 |
| PBKS Wins | 18 |
| Last Meeting | IPL 2025 Final, Ahmedabad |
| Result | RCB won by 6 runs |
| RCB Highest Total | 241/7 (2024) |
| PBKS Highest Total | 232/2 (2011) |
| Closest Match | Punjab fell 1 run short (2016) |
Season-by-Season Results (2008-2026)
| Season | Match 1 | Match 2 | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | PBKS | PBKS | Punjab’s double in the inaugural IPL |
| 2009 | RCB | PBKS | RCB’s first-ever win; Marsh 74* in 9-wkt reply |
| 2010 | RCB | PBKS | Gayle and Kohli starting to take charge |
| 2011 | PBKS | PBKS | Gilchrist 106, Marsh 79*, Punjab post 232/2 |
| 2012 | PBKS | PBKS | Punjab begin five-match winning streak |
| 2013 | PBKS | PBKS | Punjab stay dominant in the middle period |
| 2014 | PBKS | RCB | Punjab reach final; RCB claw back one win |
| 2015 | RCB | RCB | Gayle 117, Punjab bundled for 88, RCB win by 138 |
| 2016 | RCB | PBKS | Punjab lose by 1 run; Kohli-Gayle 147 stand |
| 2017 | RCB | PBKS | Split results, rivalry stays tight |
| 2018 | RCB | RCB | RCB win by 10 wickets; Umesh Yadav 3/23 |
| 2019 | RCB | RCB | RCB’s four-match winning run peaks here |
| 2020 | PBKS | PBKS | KL Rahul 132* (69b); RCB all out 109 |
| 2021 | PBKS | RCB | Bubble season; Punjab edge series |
| 2022 | RCB | PBKS | Both chasing playoffs, split results |
| 2023 | RCB | PBKS | Faf du Plessis leads RCB charge |
| 2024 | RCB | RCB | RCB post 241/7; Kohli hits 92 at Dharamsala |
| 2025 Final | RCB | – | RCB maiden title, Punjab fall 6 runs short |
Batting Records
| Record | Player | Team | Figure | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Individual Score | KL Rahul | PBKS | 132* (69 balls) | 2020 |
| Highest by RCB batter | Chris Gayle | RCB | 117 (57 balls) | 2015 |
| Most runs vs RCB | KL Rahul | PBKS | 451 runs | 2014-2021 |
| Most runs vs PBKS | Virat Kohli | RCB | 331 runs | 2008-2025 |
| Highest Partnership (overall) | Gilchrist & Marsh | PBKS | 206 (2nd wkt) | 2011 |
| Highest RCB Partnership | Kohli & Gayle | RCB | 147 (1st wkt) | 2016 |
| Highest Team Total (RCB) | – | RCB | 241/7 | 2024 |
| Highest Team Total (PBKS) | – | PBKS | 232/2 | 2011 |
| Lowest Total (RCB) | – | RCB | 109 all out | 2020 |
| Lowest Total (PBKS) | – | PBKS | 84 all out | 2018 |
Bowling Records
| Record | Player | Team | Figure | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bowling (RCB) | Sreenath Aravind | RCB | 4/14 | 2011 |
| Best Bowling (PBKS) | Piyush Chawla | PBKS | 4/17 | 2011 |
| Most Wickets (RCB) | Yuzvendra Chahal | RCB | 25 wickets | 2013-2022 |
| Most Wickets (PBKS) | Sandeep Sharma | PBKS | 16 wickets | Multiple |
| Biggest Win by Runs (RCB) | – | RCB | 138 runs | 2015 |
| Biggest Win by Runs (PBKS) | – | PBKS | 111 runs | 2011 |
| Biggest Win by Wickets (RCB) | – | RCB | 10 wickets | 2018 |
| Biggest Win by Wickets (PBKS) | – | PBKS | 9 wickets | 2009 |
Venue Breakdown
| Venue | Matches | RCB Wins | PBKS Wins | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 13 | 7 | 6 | Short boundaries, high scores |
| PCA Stadium, Mohali/Chandigarh | 10 | 7 | 3 | Seam conditions, larger outfield |
| HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | 3 | 1 | 2 | High altitude, pace-friendly |
| Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 2 | 0 | 2 | Slower surface, 2020 UAE leg |
| Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2025 IPL Final venue |
Chinnaswamy has hosted 13 of their 37 clashes, producing multiple 200-plus totals. Punjab actually struggle away from home in this rivalry, winning just 3 of 10 games at Mohali before the venue shift to New Chandigarh. Their best performances outside home came in Dubai in 2020.
Key Moments That Defined This Rivalry
- 2008: Punjab set the tone with a clean sweep in the inaugural IPL season
- 2011: Gilchrist’s 106 and Marsh’s 79 built that unforgettable 232/2 at Dharamsala, still Punjab’s highest total in this fixture
- 2015: Gayle at his brutal best – 117 off 57 balls before RCB bowled Punjab out for 88, a 138-run win
- 2016: One run. That is all that separated Punjab from a win at Mohali. Still one of the cruelest near-misses in IPL history
- 2018: RCB chased 89 without losing a single wicket. Their biggest win by wickets in this fixture
- 2020: KL Rahul’s 132 off 69 balls in Dubai stands as the highest individual score ever in this head-to-head
- 2024: RCB’s 241/7 smashed the fixture’s highest team total record with Kohli anchoring on 92
- 2025 Final: Punjab needed 7 runs off the last over. They got 1. RCB won their maiden IPL title by 6 runs
PBKS vs RCB in IPL 2026
Both teams carry serious motivation into this season. RCB return as defending champions under the same core that ended 18 years of heartbreak. Punjab are still chasing their first IPL title after losing two finals now, in 2014 and 2025.
Check the Punjab Kings squad and fixtures and the RCB squad and fixtures for full team details going into IPL 2026.
| Team | IPL 2026 Opener | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| RCB | vs SRH, March 28 | Defend title, build a dynasty |
| PBKS | vs GT, March 31 | End the wait, exorcise 2025 pain |
IPL 2026 runs from March 28 to May 31 across 10 venues. You can track every result on the IPL 2026 points table as the season unfolds.
FAQs
How many times have PBKS and RCB played in the IPL?
They have faced each other 37 times across IPL 2008 to the 2025 final, with RCB leading 19-18.
Did PBKS and RCB ever meet in an IPL final?
Yes, in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad. RCB posted 190/9 and restricted Punjab to 184/7 to win by 6 runs and claim their maiden title.
Who has the highest score in PBKS vs RCB matches?
KL Rahul’s 132 not out off 69 balls for Punjab in Dubai (2020) is the highest individual score in this head-to-head.
Who has taken the most wickets in this rivalry?
Yuzvendra Chahal leads for RCB with 25 wickets. Sandeep Sharma leads for Punjab with 16 wickets.
What is the biggest win in the PBKS vs RCB rivalry?
By runs, RCB’s 138-run win in 2015 (Gayle’s 117 day) is the biggest. Punjab’s biggest was 111 runs in 2011. By wickets, RCB won by 10 in 2018 and Punjab by 9 in 2009.
When do PBKS and RCB play in IPL 2026?
The exact date is part of the phase-wise schedule announcement. IPL 2026 runs March 28 to May 31. Check the live streaming guide to catch their clash live when it drops.
