Introduction
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been one of the most entertaining rivalries in T20 cricket. Every encounter between RCB and PBKS delivers a mix of drama, power-hitting, and passionate fan energy that makes it a marquee contest of every IPL season.
Both franchises have had their fair share of iconic players — Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, and Glenn Maxwell — who have played pivotal roles in shaping this rivalry. The atmosphere when these two sides meet is electrifying, with Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium roaring in red and Punjab’s fans waving their golden-red flags in response.
Over the years, both teams have battled for dominance, producing unforgettable moments — from record-breaking chases to individual masterclasses. In this article, we’ll explore the complete Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline, head-to-head stats, top performances, and memorable matches that have defined this epic IPL rivalry.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Stats Table
Here’s a quick summary of the RCB vs PBKS head-to-head record in IPL history (2008–2024):
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 32 |
| RCB Wins | 15 |
| PBKS Wins | 17 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Highest Total (RCB) | 232/5 (2016, Bengaluru) |
| Highest Total (PBKS) | 226/6 (2020, Dubai) |
| Lowest Total (RCB) | 84 all out (2015, Mohali) |
| Lowest Total (PBKS) | 88 all out (2018, Indore) |
| Win Percentage (RCB) | 46.9% |
| Win Percentage (PBKS) | 53.1% |
Both teams have exchanged dominance over the years, making the rivalry unpredictable and thrilling every season.
Year-Wise Timeline Table (2008–2024)
Below is the season-by-season Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline, capturing match results, venues, top performers, and rivalry highlights.
| Year | Match | Venue | Winner | Margin | Top Performer | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | RCB vs PBKS | Mohali | PBKS | 60 runs | Shaun Marsh (85) | PBKS dominated RCB with Marsh’s brilliance |
| 2009 | RCB vs PBKS | Durban | RCB | 8 wickets | Jacques Kallis (70*) | RCB avenged previous loss in style |
| 2010 | PBKS vs RCB | Dharamsala | PBKS | 6 wickets | Mahela Jayawardene (93*) | Jayawardene’s class outshined Kohli’s fifty |
| 2011 | RCB vs PBKS | Bengaluru | RCB | 85 runs | Chris Gayle (107) | Gayle storm began — RCB posted 200+ |
| 2012 | PBKS vs RCB | Mohali | PBKS | 8 wickets | Adam Gilchrist (86) | PBKS chased easily in a high-scoring match |
| 2013 | RCB vs PBKS | Bengaluru | RCB | 130 runs | Gayle (175*) | The iconic 175* — highest IPL individual score |
| 2014 | PBKS vs RCB | Dubai | PBKS | 5 wickets | Maxwell (89) | Maxwell’s fireworks stunned RCB |
| 2015 | RCB vs PBKS | Mohali | RCB | 138 runs | Gayle (117) | Gayle’s ton crushed PBKS in one-sided affair |
| 2016 | PBKS vs RCB | Bengaluru | RCB | 82 runs | Kohli (113) | Kohli scored his 4th ton of the season |
| 2017 | RCB vs PBKS | Indore | PBKS | 19 runs | Sandeep Sharma (4/22) | PBKS defended a small total |
| 2018 | PBKS vs RCB | Indore | RCB | 10 wickets | Kohli (48*), de Kock (40*) | RCB’s clinical chase |
| 2019 | RCB vs PBKS | Bengaluru | RCB | 17 runs | AB de Villiers (82*) | ABD magic guided RCB |
| 2020 | PBKS vs RCB | Dubai | PBKS | 8 wickets | KL Rahul (132*) | Rahul’s record knock — PBKS dominance |
| 2021 | RCB vs PBKS | Ahmedabad | PBKS | 34 runs | Harpreet Brar (3/19) | Youngster Brar shocked RCB |
| 2022 | PBKS vs RCB | Mumbai | PBKS | 5 wickets | Odean Smith (25* off 8) | PBKS chased 205 in thrilling finish |
| 2023 | RCB vs PBKS | Mohali | RCB | 24 runs | Faf du Plessis (84) | Du Plessis & Kohli powered RCB victory |
| 2024 | PBKS vs RCB | Bengaluru | PBKS | 9 runs | Shashank Singh (64*) | PBKS sealed narrow win in last-over drama |
Rivalry Highlights Over the Years
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline is marked by thrilling turnarounds and iconic moments.
- The Gayle Era (2011–2016) belonged to RCB as the Caribbean powerhouse destroyed PBKS bowling attacks.
- KL Rahul’s captaincy era (2019–2021) tilted the rivalry in PBKS’s favor with smart tactics and consistent batting.
- The rivalry has seen massive individual scores, rain-curtailed thrillers, and several emotional finishes where fans held their breath till the last over.
Top Performers in RCB vs PBKS Matches
Top 5 Run Scorers
| Player | Team | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 950+ | 45.2 | 138.4 |
| Chris Gayle | RCB/PBKS | 840+ | 40.0 | 160.2 |
| KL Rahul | PBKS/RCB | 780+ | 52.0 | 142.6 |
| AB de Villiers | RCB | 610+ | 43.5 | 155.8 |
| Glenn Maxwell | RCB/PBKS | 540+ | 31.7 | 151.0 |
Top 5 Wicket Takers
| Player | Team | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | RCB | 21 | 4/25 | 7.2 |
| Mohammed Shami | PBKS | 18 | 3/15 | 8.1 |
| Harshal Patel | RCB | 15 | 4/27 | 8.5 |
| Axar Patel | PBKS | 14 | 3/19 | 7.4 |
| Umesh Yadav | RCB | 13 | 3/23 | 8.2 |
Best Individual Innings
| Player | Score | Team | Year | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | 175* | RCB | 2013 | Bengaluru | RCB won |
| KL Rahul | 132* | PBKS | 2020 | Dubai | PBKS won |
| Virat Kohli | 113 | RCB | 2016 | Bengaluru | RCB won |
| AB de Villiers | 82* | RCB | 2019 | Bengaluru | RCB won |
| Glenn Maxwell | 89 | PBKS | 2014 | Dubai | PBKS won |
Best Bowling Figures
| Player | Figures | Team | Year | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Sharma | 4/22 | PBKS | 2017 | Indore | PBKS won |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 4/25 | RCB | 2018 | Bengaluru | RCB won |
| Harpreet Brar | 3/19 | PBKS | 2021 | Ahmedabad | PBKS won |
| Harshal Patel | 3/27 | RCB | 2022 | Pune | RCB won |
| Axar Patel | 3/19 | PBKS | 2014 | Mohali | PBKS won |
Memorable Matches in RCB vs PBKS History
1. Gayle’s 175 (2013, Bengaluru)*
This match remains a part of IPL folklore. Chris Gayle smashed an unbelievable 175 off just 66 balls*, including 17 sixes, leading RCB to 263/5 — still the highest IPL team total. PBKS couldn’t recover from the assault and were crushed by 130 runs.
2. KL Rahul’s Record Knock (2020, Dubai)
Former RCB player turned PBKS captain KL Rahul hammered 132 off 69 balls*, dismantling RCB’s bowling lineup. It was a sweet revenge innings and one of the most dominant captain’s knocks in IPL history.
3. Kohli’s Ton in Rain-Shortened Game (2016, Bengaluru)
Despite a thumb injury, Virat Kohli scored a majestic century (113 off 50 balls) in a 15-over match. His passion and leadership lifted RCB into playoffs that season — a moment etched in fans’ hearts.
4. Harpreet Brar’s Dream Night (2021, Ahmedabad)
Young spinner Harpreet Brar stunned RCB with wickets of Kohli, ABD, and Maxwell in one spell — a dream debut that gave PBKS a crucial win.
5. Last-Over Thriller (2024, Bengaluru)
Shashank Singh’s explosive 64* helped PBKS edge out RCB by 9 runs despite Kohli’s valiant 92. The tension in the Chinnaswamy crowd reflected the fire of this modern-day rivalry.
Statistical Insights & Fun Facts
- Highest Team Total: 263/5 by RCB (2013)
- Lowest Team Total: 84 all out by RCB (2015)
- Most Sixes in a Match: 21 (RCB, 2013)
- Most Runs in a Single Season (in this rivalry): Virat Kohli – 236 runs (2016)
- Players Who Represented Both Teams: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Glenn Maxwell, Mayank Agarwal
- Longest Winning Streak: RCB (4 matches, 2018–2019)
- Most Matches as Captains in This Rivalry: Virat Kohli (RCB) & KL Rahul (PBKS)
- Most Fours in a Match: 31 (PBKS, 2020)
These stats underline how evenly matched and thrilling the RCB vs PBKS head-to-head record truly is.
Rivalry Analysis – What Makes RCB vs PBKS Special?
The RCB vs PBKS rivalry is more than just a cricket contest — it’s a clash of passion, personality, and pride. Both sides have massive fan bases, known for their loyalty and emotional involvement. Whether it’s the “Ee Sala Cup Namde” chants from RCB fans or the “Punjab da Josh” energy from PBKS supporters, every game feels like a festival.
The matches are unpredictable — one season RCB dominates with their superstars, the next PBKS turns the tables with young guns. Their social media interactions, player transfers (like Gayle and KL Rahul switching sides), and high-scoring thrillers have only fueled this iconic IPL rivalry.
Future Outlook (2025 & Beyond)
Looking ahead to IPL 2025, both franchises are rebuilding with strong cores:
- RCB: Under new leadership and a balanced squad, they’re likely to focus on bowling depth and finishing power. Young talents like Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green could define their next phase.
- PBKS: With Shubman Gill or Sam Curran expected to lead, Punjab will aim for consistency — something they’ve lacked despite having match-winners.
Expect more close finishes, emotional wins, and record-breaking performances as this rivalry enters a new era. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline is far from over — it’s only getting more electrifying.
Conclusion
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline is one of the most exciting stories in IPL history. From Gayle’s monstrous innings to Rahul’s masterclasses, from nail-biting last overs to dominant team displays — this rivalry captures the true spirit of T20 cricket.
Over the years, both teams have built passionate fan cultures, rich histories, and unforgettable chapters in IPL folklore. As the league moves into 2025 and beyond, RCB and PBKS will continue to fight for supremacy, each aiming to script their first-ever IPL title win.
In the end, one thing remains certain —
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings timeline will always be remembered as one of IPL’s most thrilling and emotional rivalries, filled with heart, power, and unforgettable cricketing moments.
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