The 18th match of the IPL 2025 season will feature an exciting clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali. The match is scheduled for April 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM local time. Both teams will be eager to secure a vital win in the tournament, and this match promises to deliver some thrilling cricket.
Contents
Team Overview
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
Punjab Kings have had a somewhat mixed start to the IPL 2025 season, with two wins and three losses from their five matches. Led by Shreyas Iyer, PBKS will be looking to find consistency, as they have shown promise but have been unable to close out matches. Their batting relies heavily on the likes of Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, while the bowling department is led by Arshdeep Singh, who has been in good form. If they can string together a complete performance, PBKS could very well challenge Rajasthan Royals in this crucial match.
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Rajasthan Royals, captained by Sanju Samson, have been in excellent form in IPL 2025, winning four out of their five matches. RR’s success has been built on solid all-round performances, with their batting anchored by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, and their bowling led by Jofra Archer. The Royals have looked like one of the most balanced teams this season and will be looking to continue their strong run in this match against PBKS.
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have faced off 26 times in the IPL, with Rajasthan Royals having the upper hand. RR has won 15 of those encounters, while PBKS has won 11. The last time they met, RR emerged victorious, and the historical dominance of RR suggests they will be the favorites going into this match. However, PBKS has shown that they can pull off surprises, and with the right strategy, they could turn the tables.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Mullanpur pitch has a reputation for being slow and challenging for batsmen. It tends to offer more assistance to spinners, with large boundary dimensions making it hard to score freely. In IPL 2024, PBKS struggled with these conditions, and batting first could be tricky with a competitive total generally falling in the 160-170 range. The weather is expected to be pleasant, with temperatures around 24°C and humidity at 42%. There is only a 25% chance of rain, so the match should go ahead without weather interruptions.
Key Players to Watch
Shashank Singh (PBKS):
Shashank Singh has been in excellent form for PBKS, and his consistency at the top of the order is crucial for their success. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate in the later stages will be vital for PBKS to set or chase a challenging target.Arshdeep Singh (PBKS):
Arshdeep Singh has been a standout bowler for PBKS, especially in the death overs. His pace and accuracy will be key in containing RR’s explosive batting lineup, making him a player to watch in this match.Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR):
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been struggling in IPL 2025, but he has the potential to turn things around. A strong performance from Jaiswal would not only boost RR’s batting lineup but also help take the pressure off him due to his off-field distractions.Riyan Parag (RR):
Riyan Parag has been in superb form this season, contributing both with bat and ball. His all-round capabilities make him one of the most valuable players for RR, and his performances in this match could be pivotal.
Match Prediction
Rajasthan Royals enter this match as the favorites, given their strong form and history against PBKS. However, Punjab Kings have the firepower to cause an upset, especially if they manage to play their cards right. PBKS will rely on their consistency with the bat and their ability to put pressure on RR’s top-order, while RR will look to maintain their dominance. The conditions at Mullanpur, with its slow pitch and large boundaries, will make scoring difficult, and the team that adapts better will likely come out on top.
Form Guide
Punjab Kings: WWL (Last three matches, most recent first)
PBKS has won two of their last three matches, showing some positive signs, although their recent loss highlighted areas they need to improve. They will be looking to build on their recent wins and maintain consistency.Rajasthan Royals: WLL (Last three matches, most recent first)
RR has had a mixed bag of results in their last three matches, with one win and two losses. Despite their setbacks, RR remains a strong contender with a well-balanced side and will be looking to bounce back with a win against PBKS.
In the Spotlight
Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS):
A player with plenty of potential, Prabhsimran has struggled with consistency throughout his IPL career. This match provides an opportunity for him to prove that he can deliver more than just occasional brilliance, building on his recent 34-ball 69. If he can play with consistency, he could be a key player for PBKS going forward.Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR):
Jaiswal has not been at his best so far in IPL 2025, with just 32 deliveries faced. He will be keen to silence the critics surrounding his recent move from Mumbai to Goa in domestic cricket. If Jaiswal can find his form, it would not only strengthen RR’s top order but also ease the off-field pressure he’s facing.
Key Stats
Sanju Samson’s Leadership Milestone:
Sanju Samson is one win away from becoming the most successful captain for Rajasthan Royals, currently tied on 31 wins with Shane Warne. He will be aiming to break this record and lead RR to another victory.Sandeep Sharma vs Shreyas Iyer:
Sandeep Sharma has dismissed Shreyas Iyer three times in nine T20 innings, conceding just 47 runs at a strike rate of 84. This match-up could be crucial, with Sharma potentially playing a key role in containing Iyer.Chahal vs Samson:
Yuzvendra Chahal has dismissed Sanju Samson five times in 11 T20 innings. This could lead PBKS to bring Chahal into the attack early, especially during the powerplay, to target the RR captain.Defending 170+ in Mullanpur:
Teams that have scored 170 or more while batting first in Mullanpur have successfully defended their total eight times out of nine. Batting first could be a smart strategy for the team winning the toss.
Squads
Punjab Kings:
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Xavier Bartlett, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Praveen Dubey, Lockie Ferguson, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marco Jansen, Musheer Khan, Glenn Maxwell, Kuldeep Sen, Suryansh Shedge, Arshdeep Singh, Harnoor Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Rajasthan Royals:
Sanju Samson (Captain), Jofra Archer, Yudhvir Charak, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Mahesh Theekshana.
Conclusion
The 18th match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 is set to be a thrilling contest. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and the match could be decided by key performances from players like Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh for PBKS, and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag for RR. The conditions at Mullanpur will add an extra layer of challenge, and adapting to the slow pitch and large boundaries will be crucial. With the historical dominance of Rajasthan Royals, they will enter the match as favorites, but Punjab Kings have the firepower to spring a surprise.
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