Punjab Kings Face Rajasthan Royals in Crucial IPL 2025 Clash

MULLANPUR, India (AP) — The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) meet in match 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The match marks the first home game of the season for PBKS, who are looking to maintain their unbeaten start after winning both previous matches.

Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, emphasizing the team’s aim to gauge the pitch’s behavior. “We need to stabilize our rhythm from game one and that’s happened,” said Iyer. “We’ve played our practice games here, so we know how the wicket will play.”

Punjab Kings currently hold the top position in the points table, boasting victories over the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Their aggressive batting lineup has seen significant contributions from Iyer, who has scored an impressive 149 runs in the first two matches, including an unbeaten 97 in the previous game.

On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals are looking to bounce back after a rocky start to the season. After losing their first two matches, they found their footing with a comprehensive win against the Chennai Super Kings. Captain Sanju Samson, returning from injury, expressed excitement about leading the side again, saying, “I feel good to be back on the field and I’m looking forward to putting up a decent total.”

Historically, Rajasthan Royals have had the upper hand in their head-to-head contests, holding a 16-11 advantage over PBKS. However, both teams have seen roster changes that may affect the dynamics.

Rajasthan’s batting lineup features key players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer. Jaiswal, who struggled in previous matches, will be crucial for setting a solid foundation against a confident PBKS bowling attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson.

The pitch at Mullanpur has historically favored bowlers, with conditions expected to ease as the match progresses. Ian Bishop noted, “170-180 would be a good total on this surface.” The match also features former legends Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting as coaches, adding an intriguing subplot to an already electrifying matchup.

While the Royals hope to capitalize on their improved morale, Punjab aims to continue their winning streak at home. The match promises to be a clash of strategies as both teams fight for critical points early in the tournament.