Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India played 8 matches from 2011 to 2013. These games gave us cricket’s greatest moment – Chris Gayle’s world record 175* at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
RCB won 6 out of 8 matches against Pune Warriors. The rivalry created the highest T20 score ever, fastest T20 century, and many records that no one has broken yet.
Here’s every match between these teams. From their first meeting to Pune Warriors leaving IPL. Plus all the records, stats, and moments that made cricket history.
Quick Overview
| Stat | Details |
| Total Matches | 8 matches (2011-2013) |
| Head-to-Head | RCB won 6, PWI won 2 |
| Biggest Moment | Chris Gayle’s 175* – World Record |
| Highest Total | RCB 263/5 (April 23, 2013) |
| Best Individual | Gayle 175*, Uthappa 69 |
| PWI’s End | Left IPL in May 2013 |
Who Were Pune Warriors India?
Pune Warriors played IPL for just 3 years (2011-2013). Sahara Group bought them for $370 million – the highest bid in IPL history then. The team had big names like Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sourav Ganguly, and Angelo Mathews. Star players on paper.
But they couldn’t win. Only 12 wins in 46 matches gave them a win rate of just 26.67%. They finished last or second-last every season. The team had no chemistry, too many changes, poor leadership, and constant financial troubles with BCCI.
The franchise quit IPL in May 2013. Money fights with BCCI ended their journey.
All 8 Matches: Year by Year
2011: RCB Start Strong
Match 1: April 22, 2011
- DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
- RCB won by 7 wickets
- Virat Kohli 50* (39 balls)
Match 2: May 8, 2011
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
- RCB won by 4 wickets
- Robin Uthappa 68 (46 balls) for PWI
RCB dominated from the start. Won both games easily. Yuvraj Singh was PWI captain but couldn’t stop RCB.
2012: Closer Contest
Match 3: April 17, 2012
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
- RCB won by 6 wickets
- Chris Gayle 81 (48), Robin Uthappa 69 (45)
Match 4: May 12, 2012
- Maharashtra Cricket Stadium, Pune
- Pune Warriors won by 35 runs
- Steve Smith 51* (32), Sourav Ganguly 45 (39)
PWI finally beat RCB! Sourav Ganguly became captain mid-season. This was their only win against Bangalore.
2013: Gayle’s Historic Year
Match 5: April 23, 2013 – THE RECORD MATCH
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
- RCB won by 130 runs
- RCB 263/5 vs PWI 133/9
- Chris Gayle 175* (66) – WORLD RECORD
Match 6: May 9, 2013
- Maharashtra Cricket Stadium, Pune
- RCB won by 6 wickets
- AB de Villiers 74* (38 balls)
April 23, 2013: The Day Cricket Changed Forever
This wasn’t just a match. It was Chris Gayle destroying every record in cricket history.
What Happened That Day
Chris Gayle scored 175* off 66 balls. No one has come close since.
Records Broken:
- Fastest T20 century: 30 balls (old record: 34 balls)
- Highest T20 score: 175* (beat Brendon McCullum’s 158*)
- Most sixes: 17 sixes in one innings
- Highest IPL team total: 263/5 (stood for 11 years!)
- Biggest win: 130 runs (second biggest in IPL history)
How Gayle Did It
ESPN Cricinfo stats show Gayle scored 101 runs off just 27 balls between overs 1.1 and 8.5.
The Numbers:
- Strike rate: 265.15
- Sixes: 17 (world record)
- Fours: 13
- Dot balls: Only 18 in entire innings!
PWI coach Allan Donald said his players were “scared” watching Gayle bat.
Other Heroes That Day
- Tillakaratne Dilshan: 33 (36) – 167-run opening partnership
- AB de Villiers: 31* (8 balls) – finished with a bang
- Chris Gayle: 2/5 with ball too!
Final Score: RCB 263/5, PWI 133/9 Margin: 130 runs
PWI never recovered. They couldn’t even get close to Gayle’s personal score!
Head-to-Head: Complete Record
| Year | Matches | RCB Wins | PWI Wins | What Happened |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 0 | RCB dominated debut season |
| 2012 | 2 | 1 | 1 | PWI got their only win |
| 2013 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Gayle’s 175*, records galore |
| TOTAL | 8 | 6 | 2 | RCB won 75% |
Top Performances
Best Individual Scores:
- Chris Gayle 175* (RCB, 2013) – World Record
- Robin Uthappa 69 (PWI, 2012)
- Chris Gayle 81 (RCB, 2012)
Best Bowling:
- Chris Gayle 2/5 (RCB, 2013)
- Vinay Kumar 2/34 (RCB, 2012)
Most Runs in Series:
- Chris Gayle (RCB): 312 runs in 6 matches
- Robin Uthappa (PWI): 287 runs in 8 matches
Star Players: Who Made the Difference
RCB’s Match Winners
Chris Gayle was the biggest difference maker. He averaged 52.0 against PWI with a strike rate over 160. His 175* remains the highest T20 score ever and made PWI bowlers look helpless. No one has come close to breaking his records.
AB de Villiers was the perfect finisher for RCB. His 31* off just 8 balls during Gayle’s record match showed how he could maintain momentum even during extraordinary performances. He always delivered when RCB needed quick runs at the death.
Virat Kohli led RCB to 6 wins out of 8 matches as captain. He scored a crucial 50* in their first meeting and made great tactical moves throughout the rivalry. His leadership was key to RCB’s dominance.
PWI’s Best Performers
Robin Uthappa was PWI’s most consistent performer, scoring 287 runs in 8 matches against RCB. He became their most reliable batsman and evolved into a T20 specialist during his PWI days. Without him, their record would have been even worse.
Sourav Ganguly led PWI to their only significant victory over RCB in 2012. At age 40, he showed his captaincy skills and scored 45 runs in their winning match. His leadership experience made a real difference that season.
Steve Smith was a future star who performed well for PWI. His 51* helped them win their only match against RCB. He was a good middle-order player then and later became Australia’s captain.
Why Did Pune Warriors Leave IPL?
PWI quit IPL in May 2013 after a major money fight with BCCI. According to official reports, owner Subrata Roy was angry with BCCI’s inflexible attitude.
The problem started with money. PWI had paid $370 million expecting 94 matches per season, but IPL had only 74 matches. This reduced their expected revenue significantly. PWI wanted the franchise fee reduced proportionally for fewer games, but BCCI refused any adjustments.
BCCI’s position was simple: “You signed for the full amount, pay up or leave.” When PWI couldn’t pay, BCCI took their $40 million bank guarantee. PWI responded by saying “We’re out!” and withdrew from the league.
Their last match was on May 19, 2013 against Delhi Daredevils. BCCI officially terminated them in October 2013. PWI’s short journey was over, lasting only 3 seasons. They left behind only one lasting memory – Chris Gayle’s world record scored against them.
Records That Still Stand Today
Chris Gayle’s 175 from April 23, 2013* remains untouchable even after 12+ years. It’s the highest T20 score ever, achieved with the fastest T20 century (30 balls) and most sixes in one innings (17). No player has seriously challenged these records despite countless attempts.
The match also created other lasting records. RCB’s 263/5 stood as the highest IPL team total for 11 years. The 167-run opening partnership between Gayle and Dilshan was a record. Their 130-run victory margin was the second biggest in IPL history at that time.
These records matter for different reasons. For cricket, they showed what’s possible in T20 format. For RCB, they built confidence that eventually led to their 2025 IPL title. For PWI, sadly these records are the only thing people remember about them.
Modern cricket experts say Gayle’s 175* is still the gold standard for T20 batting. Here’s a fun fact: Gayle scored more runs alone (175) than PWI’s entire team managed (133) that day!
Quick Questions & Answers
How many times did RCB beat Pune Warriors?
RCB won 6 out of 8 matches against Pune Warriors from 2011-2013. PWI only won 2 matches in three seasons.
What is Chris Gayle’s highest score vs PWI?
Chris Gayle scored 175* off 66 balls on April 23, 2013. This is the highest T20 score ever by any player.
When did Pune Warriors beat RCB?
Pune Warriors beat RCB twice – once in 2012 (by 35 runs) and once in 2013. Sourav Ganguly led their 2012 victory.
Why did Pune Warriors leave IPL?
Money fight with BCCI. PWI paid $370 million expecting 94 matches per season but got only 74. BCCI refused fee reduction.
Which records were set in RCB vs PWI matches?
Fastest T20 century (30 balls), highest T20 score (175*), most sixes in one innings (17), highest team total (263/5). All by Chris Gayle in 2013.
Who was PWI’s best player against RCB?
Robin Uthappa scored 287 runs in 8 matches vs RCB. He was their most consistent performer across all three seasons.
When was the last RCB vs PWI match?
May 9, 2013 at Pune. RCB won by 6 wickets with AB de Villiers scoring 74* off 38 balls.
What was the biggest win margin?
RCB’s 130-run victory on April 23, 2013 powered by Gayle’s 175*. Second biggest win in IPL history at that time.
The Final Word
RCB vs Pune Warriors was a short story. Only 3 years, 8 matches. But what a story!
What We Got:
- Cricket’s greatest innings (Gayle’s 175*)
- Records that still stand 12+ years later
- Proof that individual brilliance can make history
- RCB building confidence for future success
What We Learned:
- Money alone doesn’t win matches (PWI had big budget)
- Team chemistry beats star names (RCB vs PWI)
- One innings can make you immortal (Gayle)
- IPL is unpredictable and exciting
Pune Warriors are gone. But their memory lives on through Chris Gayle’s world record. Every time someone bats in T20 cricket, Gayle’s 175* is the target.
RCB fans still cheer that April evening in 2013. PWI fans? Well, at least they witnessed history being made!
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