Match overview
Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium on 3 June 2025, in one of the tighter finishes the IPL has produced this season. RCB posted 190/9 from their 20 overs, Punjab Kings chased gamely and reached 184/7, but the last few overs just would not yield the runs they needed. KH Pandya was named Player of the Match. Punjab Kings had won the toss and chosen to field, the more popular option at this ground, and for long stretches of the chase it looked like the right call. In the end, 6 runs separated the sides.
The match split neatly into phases. RCB's powerplay produced 55 runs for 1 wicket, above the ground's average of 43. Their middle overs were solid: 77 runs for 3 wickets across overs 7 to 15. The death phase was messy, 58 runs but 5 wickets down, which is why the final score looked shakier than RCB would have liked. Punjab's reply followed a similar structure. 52 for 1 in the powerplay, 67 for 3 in the middle, and then a late charge of 65 from 3 wickets in the death. They came close. They did not quite get there.
Venue and conditions
Narendra Modi Stadium is among the largest cricket grounds in the world and one of the busiest T20 venues in India. Across 95 matches, the average first-innings score here is 206 and the average second-innings score is 196. Both teams posted below those averages on this occasion, which meant the chasing side had a theoretical statistical edge that Punjab Kings were unable to convert.
The ground's powerplay average is 43 runs, and both teams exceeded that comfortably. The average death-overs contribution is 38 runs; Punjab Kings' death batting (65 runs) was well above that benchmark, and it still was not enough to overhaul the target. Toss-winners at this ground elect to field 60% of the time, a preference Punjab Kings followed. The venue's chase-success rate of 53% made their task statistically plausible. On the night, it did not come off.
Dew is a factor at evening matches in Ahmedabad, and toss-winners who field tend to factor that in. The ball skids on more freely in the second innings, which generally assists batters. Punjab Kings' death-overs total of 65 suggests they benefited from those conditions, even if the margin was too great.
How to watch
IPL 2025 is broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket. Matches are typically shown live, with start times in India translating to late afternoon or evening slots in BST. Generally around 14:30 BST for afternoon games and 19:30 BST for evening fixtures. Sky subscribers can stream via Sky Go, and NOW TV provides day passes and monthly memberships for those who do not hold a full Sky package.
For a full schedule of remaining IPL fixtures and confirmation of which matches are on Sky Sports, check the Sky Sports website or the IPL's official broadcaster page.
Recent form
Royal Challengers Bangalore came into this match in reasonable nick. Their last five results show four wins. Against Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. With only a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad interrupting the run. A team winning four of five is not short on confidence, and RCB's powerplay numbers here reflected a side playing with some authority.
Punjab Kings' recent form was patchier. They won against Mumbai Indians (twice) and Rajasthan Royals in that five-match stretch, but losses to Delhi Capitals and to RCB earlier in the season pointed to inconsistency. Their all-time head-to-head with RCB now stands at 19 wins apiece from 37 meetings. The overall record is essentially level, even if recent momentum has swung toward Bangalore. The two sides could meet again before the tournament is out, and Punjab will know from this result that 6 runs is not a lot to find.
