IPL Live: Toss delayed in RCB vs PBKS due to rain

In the very first game of the IPL, Brendon McCullum unshackled himself and scored an absolutely unforgettable 158 from 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders. In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who would hope they don't have the same fate today, were shut out for just 82 runs.

From that night, Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli are the only players who are still involved in the IPL as players.

April 18, 2025 officially marks the day when the Indian Premier League (IPL) turns 18, considering the first-ever IPL match was played on the same day back in 2008.
The tournament has produced some incredible moments of brilliance over the years, enthralling one and all with constant twists and turns.

Even a target of 250 seems gettable within 20 overs, showcasing the incredible power and quality of batting.

A look at the 18 iconic moments in the league's history

PBKS results in IPL 2025 so far

Match 1: beat GT by 11 runs

Match 2: beat LSG by 8 wickets

Match 3: lost to RR by 50 runs

Match 4: beat CSK by 18 runs

Match 5: lost to SRH by 8 wickets

Match 6: beat KKR by 16 runs

RCB results in IPL 2025 so far

Match 1: beat KKR by 7 wickets

Match 2: beat CSK by 50 runs

Match 3: lost to GT by 8 wickets

Match 4: beat MI by 12 runs

Match 5: lost to DC by 6 wickets

Match 6: beat RR by 9 wickets

Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar: "Actually I haven't used it. I forgot that I can use saliva. When I saw (Mitchell) Starc yesterday, it came to my mind that I can use it. I'm not sure if it will help or not, but now that I remember I'll definitely use in the next match."

Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin: "It's about clearing the head and executing. You've got to be brave to go deep in this tournament and that's the mindset we want the players to have all the time."

On the surface, Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer seem quite different. Iyer is an experienced IPL-winning captain with an impressive batting record, while Patidar is stepping into the captaincy role for the first time in the IPL without a storied batting résumé.

However, their similarities are notable. Both players exhibit a calm demeanor while guiding their teams, regardless of the results. Patidar leads with authority but without being overbearing, managing a star-studded lineup that includes Virat Kohli and Hazlewood. He will need to be at his strategic best against a diverse opponent.

As an accomplished player against spin, Patidar must work to neutralizse the dual threats of Chahal and Maxwell, particularly if the M Chinnaswamy pitch remains slow. Iyer, too, is adept at handling spin, making him the best-equipped player in the Punjab lineup to counter RCB's Krunal and Suyash.

Chahal has recently returned to form with a four-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders, while Maxwell’s ongoing struggles with the bat may not impact his spot in the lineup for this match.

Chahal is known for his mastery of lengths rather than relying on spectacular deliveries; he often entices batters with balls wide of off-stump, setting them up for catches in the deep. His clever pace variations add to the challenge, requiring batters to exert extra effort to hit him for sixes.

Maxwell employs a similar strategy, using precise control rather than big spinning deliveries. He has also seen success against right-handers in white-ball formats, which could be advantageous for Punjab, given that RCB's lineup consists mainly of right-handed batters.