Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – At Mullanpur, Chandigarh (Watch Live Update)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 brings an exciting clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 5, 2025, at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This match, scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST, marks the 18th encounter of the season.
Team Form and Recent Performance
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
PBKS has showcased a strong start this season, securing victories in both of their opening matches. Their batting lineup, bolstered by the acquisition of Shreyas Iyer for $3.18 million , has been particularly formidable. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis, acquired for $1.31 million , has also contributed significantly with both bat and ball.
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
RR, led by captain Sanju Samson, has had a mixed start to the season. The team relies heavily on the consistent performances of key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer. Notably, they have added young talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi, aged 13, to their squad .
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, RR has had the upper hand in encounters against PBKS. Out of 28 matches played between the two teams, RR has won 16, while PBKS has secured 11 victories, with one match ending in a tie .
Player Form and Key Matchups
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): With a solid start to the season, Iyer’s performance at the top order will be crucial for PBKS.
- Marcus Stoinis (PBKS): His all-round capabilities provide balance to the team, making him a key player in both batting and bowling departments.
- Sanju Samson (RR): As captain and a leading batsman, Samson’s form can significantly influence RR’s performance.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): Known for his aggressive batting style, Jaiswal poses a threat to PBKS’s bowling attack.
Pitch and Venue Analysis
The New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur has witnessed a trend favoring teams batting first. In T20 matches since 2023, teams scoring 170 or more in the first innings have won 8 out of 9 times, while teams scoring less than 170 have lost all 4 matches when batting first . This suggests that setting a competitive total is advantageous on this pitch.
Team Strategies and Expected Playing XI
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Expected Playing XI:
- Shreyas Iyer
- Nehal Wadhera
- Vishnu Vinod (WK)
- Josh Inglis
- Harnoor Pannu
- Pyla Avinash
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Shashank Singh
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Marco Jansen
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Expected Playing XI:
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Shubham Dubey
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Kunal Rathore
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag
- Nitish Rana
- Yudhvir Charak
- Jofra Archer
Key Talking Points and Analysis
PBKS will aim to leverage their strong batting lineup to set a formidable total, considering the pitch’s history. RR, on the other hand, will focus on their bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer, to contain PBKS’s batsmen. The performance of young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi could also be a game-changer for RR.
Expert Predictions
Given PBKS’s current form and the advantage of playing at their home ground, they appear to have a slight edge over RR. However, cricket’s unpredictable nature means RR cannot be underestimated, especially with their mix of experienced and young players.
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