By Editor 
RCB will meet Punjab Kings in the IPL final, both teams looking to clinch their inaugural trophy. Their rivalry is one that spans centuries – with centuries, collapses, and controversy all part of its makeup.
Phil Salt was on strike for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at an overflowing M Chinnaswamy Stadium, and hit two pull shots off Arshdeep Singh’s opening over, setting the tone for an electrifying contest in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vs Punjab Kings Timeline. The moment reflected the intensity and drama that have consistently defined clashes between these two teams across IPL seasons.
| Date | Venue | Match Result |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 2025 | Mullanpur | RCB won by 7 wickets |
| 18 Apr 2025 | Bengaluru | PBKS won by 5 wickets |
| 9 May 2024 | Dharamsala | RCB won by 60 runs |
| 25 Mar 2024 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 4 wickets |
| 20 Apr 2023 | Mohali | RCB won by 24 runs |
RCB vs PBKS
RCB and PBKS’ rivalry has become synonymous with high-octane T20 cricket, from Gayle’s sixes to Kohli’s centuries. Fans across India have taken notice, as these contests capture fans’ imagination.
Punjab (then Kings XI Punjab) initially dominated IPL matches thanks to their formidable batting lineup led by Jacques Kallis and Shaun Marsh.
But as the league progressed and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) strengthened with players such as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers joining their squad, competition between both teams increased significantly.
Recent encounters between RCB and Punjab proved thrilling, with Kohli and Rabada and Maxwell and Arshdeep turning in breathtaking performances that proved fan-favorite duels in particular. Both teams will enter this final fully fit – anticipate an intense contest that has many unexpected twists and turns!
2008
Indian Premier League (IPL) continues its tale of ambition and heartache with a match that will put more than cricket under scrutiny; rather it will test franchises’ resilience and faith over decades of waiting.
This rivalry serves as an outstanding demonstration of IPL’s unpredictability and rapid shifts in momentum, featuring Chris Gayle’s explosive runs and AB de Villiers’s masterclass chases, tactical bowling battles and nail-biting finishes.
Rivalry between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings first surfaced during the inaugural season of IPL, when both franchises were just finding their feet in T20 cricket.
Since then, their contests have defined dramatic finals and unpredictable scenarios throughout. Their story mirrors that of IPL itself; ambitious aspirations giving way to heartache as their competition unfolded century by century, scandal by scandal with unexpected successes along the way.
2009
From nail-biting finishes to record-setting performances, RCB and Punjab Kings have hosted some of the most riveting Indian Premier League matches ever seen.
This season-by-season timeline illustrates their thrilling rivalry and why it has proven so captivating.
After two seasons of close matches, Royal Challengers Bangalore established early dominance over Punjab by winning both matches in IPL 2019.
This signaled a shift away from raw firepower towards more tactical nous as their batters learned how to chase totals more steadily while their bowlers executed plans at the death.
Meanwhile, Punjab managed to outwit them by maintaining pressure through tight powerplay overs and exploiting weaknesses; when rivalry truly blossomed; with Sandeep Sharma emerging as chief disruptor. Sandeep used his bowlers’ ability to douse top order batsman while using quick bowling speeds to force early wickets over their top order in IPL 2019 along with exploiting weaknesses.
This marks how rivalry truly blossomed while simultaneously marking Sandeep Sharma as chief disruptor – cutting through top order batsman before exploiting an early wicket fallout and exploiting an inability for recovery post early wicket-fall.
2010
The RCB vs PBKS rivalry epitomizes the spirit of IPL cricket, featuring high-scoring thrillers, dramatic collapses, and iconic performances – not forgetting its ever-evolving nature!
In 2010, this rivalry continued its cycle. At times, PBKS would dominate with powerful hitting; other times RCB’s top-of-the-order firepower kept them competitive.
This era also saw the beginning of some heated tactical battles between these two teams, who utilized both aggression and calculated play to dominate each other.
Matches often proved nail biting – with big hitters and tactical bowlers making for entertaining viewing experiences – with the 2025 final between RCB and PBKS becoming one of the most anticipated clashes ever in IPL history and becoming the first time RCB claimed an IPL trophy.
2011
The IPL rivalry between RCB and PBKS has produced some of the most exciting matches ever seen, from nail-biting finishes to record-setting performances, providing fans with a thrilling T20 cricket spectacle. This timeline offers fans a clear, season-by-season glimpse into this historic clash.
Contrary to other IPL rivalries, this one has never had one side dominate over another. Instead, its history shows constant shifts in momentum between both teams:
from Shaun Marsh’s dominance in 2008 and Chris Gayle’s storm in 2011, through AB de Villiers’ brutal batting in 2012 and KL Rahul’s record 132 (2025), this rivalry epitomizes everything about IPL: unpredictability, entertainment and evolution – this rivalry will only get better as new players and epic moments keep coming along – making this its own kind of IPL rivalry!
2012
At Chennai’s Chepauk stadium, RCB’s struggles were emblematic of their inability to match CSK’s home advantage and tactical mastery. Relying heavily on one or two superstar batsmen for scores while lacking quality fifth bowling options left them exposed against CSK’s spin dominance while the mysterious AB de Villiers battled form issues throughout.
Though competitive and thrilling, their rivalry remained thrilling, reflecting the spirit of IPL history and becoming one of the league’s most celebrated clashes.
It was a drama filled with ambition, heartbreak, redemption, contrasting philosophies, loyal fan bases, legendary players, defining IPL eras and momentum shifts; one which offered endless entertainment!
A great rivalry should not just be about who won or lost but about momentum shifts and pressure handling for an unpredictable journey of entertainment and unpredictability that never ended!
2013
In 2013, the rivalry between RCB and PBKS took an entirely new turn. Both teams met regularly, trading power-hitting and tactical bowling exchanges in power-packed battles to gain dominance; many matches went right down to the final over.
At M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a crowd of 35,000 braved rain and cold to witness an exciting match. Despite Chris Gayle’s lbw shout, his side managed to score 174 on a flat pitch with short outfield.
Adam Gilchrist’s unruffled 85-ball innings propelled Punjab to victory and kept their playoff hopes alive – one of the most unforgettable matches in this rivalry’s history.
This highlights IPL cricket’s unpredictability and entertainment factor – each season brings new heroes and unforgettable memories while the rivalry has never been dominated by one team – which only adds more intrigue!
2014
The Indian Premier League rivalry between RCB and PBKS has long been one of the most watched in its history, producing high-scoring thrillers, dramatic collapses, and unforgettable performances – from Gayle’s sixes storming through to Kohli’s masterclass chases; it showcases IPL cricket at its best!
These teams met three times this year. At M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB beat Punjab by 27 runs due to AB de Villiers’s unbeaten knock of 107 (49). Mohammed Siraj then claimed three wickets to help lead RCB to victory by 85 runs.
2015
Punjab and RCB battled it out this season for supremacy, each winning four matches each. At Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB edged past PBKS by just one run thanks to AB de Villiers’s blistering 106 (51*). Subsequently, in Cuttack, RCB crushed Punjab by six wickets thanks to Jacques Kallis’s 89 (38) and Robin Uthappa (51).
As these two teams continue to face off, fans can anticipate high-scoring thrillers and dramatic collapses that demonstrate the spirit and spectacle of Indian Premier League cricket.
From Chris Gayle’s sixes to Virat Kohli’s masterclass chases, this rivalry stands as a true testament of Indian Premier League. This thrilling RCB vs PBKS rivalry offers excitement at every turn; not just dates and scores but moments, memories and emotions as part of its real story arc.
2016
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru-Punjab Kings rivalry goes far beyond just suits on a courtroom wall. It is a story of ambition, heartbreak and redemption spanning seventeen seasons and many cricketing milestones; marked by raw power-hitting and strategic bowling alongside some controversy and miracles for good measure.
Gayle’s six-storms and Kohli’s masterclass chases make this IPL rivalry one of its highest-stakes ever seen. RCB are out to win their first title since 2016 after an 8-wicket victory against Kings PBKS in Qualifier 1.
Meanwhile, Kings are looking for their maiden trophy after waiting so long; therefore these clashes promise fireworks, high ratings and memorable moments, reminding everyone why IPL so special every match day. This article presents a season-by-season timeline of this IPL rivalry!