The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh will witness an intriguing battle as table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on the struggling Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 18 of IPL 2025.
Match Preview:
The Punjab Kings are riding high at the start of the IPL 2025 season, showcasing impressive form under their new captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting. However, their upcoming clash against the Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur promises to be a stern examination of their winning momentum. The Royals, led by their returning skipper Sanju Samson, will be eager to find consistency after a somewhat shaky beginning to their campaign.
This match holds significant weight, particularly for Rajasthan. The confirmed return of Sanju Samson to full wicket-keeping duties and captaincy, after initially playing as a pure batter with Riyan Parag at the helm, is a major boost. Fans will be hoping this leadership change can ignite a turnaround in fortunes for the Royals, who have managed just one victory in their first three outings. While their recent win against Chennai Super Kings would have provided a confidence lift, they cannot afford to dwell on it as they face a Punjab Kings side that has been in top form, securing two wins in as many matches.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have executed their plans effectively, resulting in a brilliant start under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Iyer himself has been instrumental, leading from the front with impressive batting displays – an unbeaten 52 against Lucknow Super Giants and a stellar unbeaten 97 against Gujarat Titans – ensuring he remains a key focus as they head into this crucial encounter.
Probable Playing XIIS:
RR: Sanju Samson (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Jofra Archer, Shubham Dubey
PBKS: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar
Pitch and weather report:
The newly established Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is gradually carving out its niche in the IPL. Early signs point towards a well-balanced pitch, offering opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers to make their mark.
Compared to some other IPL grounds, the longer boundaries here will demand precise timing from the batters if they aim to clear the ropes. Spin bowlers could also find themselves increasingly influential as the match unfolds.
Looking at the weather forecast for Chandigarh on match day, clear skies are expected with temperatures ranging between a comfortable 28-30°C. Humidity is predicted to be moderate, and with a minimal chance of rain, a full 40-over contest looks promising.
However, the dew factor could become a consideration in the second innings, potentially swaying the toss decision as teams might be inclined to chase under lights at this venue.
Head-to-head record:
Historically, the Rajasthan Royals have held the upper hand in their IPL encounters against the Punjab Kings, boasting a 16-11 win record, with one match ending in a tie. 1 However, in their most recent showdown during IPL 2024 in Guwahati, it was the Punjab Kings who emerged victorious on their home turf with a five-wicket win.
Prediction:
PBKS are favourites to win the game.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Afghanistan: ATN
MENA: Cricbuzz
