The business end of the IPL 2025 is getting visible as the toppers and laggards are getting separated. And two of the teams that are in the upper half of the points table, RCB and PBKS, meet tonight, and both can't afford any slip-up. That will make the match, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, extra keen.

Both the teams go into the tie having played six matches each and with four victories apiece. They are at 3 and 4 in the table. The identical record suggests that there is very little to choose between the two. Both come to the match on the back of morale-inspiring victories in their respective previous encounters.

RCB had a nine-wicket canter against RR in a chase of 174, and PBK sensationally defended the lowly 111 against KKR.

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RCB has shown glimpses of imposing its authority this season under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy. Virat Kohli's resurgence and Phil Salt’s explosive opening contributions have set the tone for their victories. Patidar himself has been in good form so has been Jitesh Sharma. Devdutt Padikkal has been on and off in his form. Only Liam Livingstone hasn't got going with the bat this season. However, its reliance on the top two leaves the middle-order prone to pressure, something it will need to address against PBKS’s varied attack. In the bowling, RCB perennial problem area, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been effective in defending totals. 

PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, has emerged as one of the most balanced teams. The sensational Priyansh Arya is perhaps the find of the season. The other opener Prabhsimran Singh needs a big score to stamp his authority. Iyer is in good form with the bat, and with Marcus Stoinis also providing some thrust, PBKS' batting looks sorted. Though Glenn Maxwell needs to get going. And what better motivation than tonight when the opponents are his former franchise.

Arshdeep Singh is continuing his form as a dependable death bowler, and Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen’s ability to turn matches in the middle overs will be key in countering RCB’s aggressive batting lineup. The duo helped defend a measly score against KKR in the last match.

The Chinnaswamy pitch promises runs, making it crucial for both teams to make the most of their top-order batting and optimise powerplay overs. Thewinner tonight has the potential to be the table-topper.

Probable teams: 

RCB: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal. Impact Player: Suyash Sharma  

PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis (wk), Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact Player: Suryansh Shedge. 

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