Punjab Kings (PBKS) enter Sunday afternoon’s IPL 2025 encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium with a golden opportunity.
A win here would take them closer to a coveted top-four finish and potentially end their 10-year wait for an IPL final appearance.
PBKS last reached the final in 2014, finishing runners-up to Kolkata Knight Riders.
PBKS currently sit third on the table with 15 points from 11 matches and a net run rate of +0.376.
Their recent fixture against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was halted midway due to unforeseen circumstances, keeping fans eager for a full display this time around.
Rajasthan Royals, already out of playoff contention, will aim to conclude their home campaign with a morale-boosting victory.
Their last match ended in heartbreak- a one-run defeat to KKR at Eden Gardens.
With Sanju Samson sidelined, interim captain Riyan Parag faces increasing pressure to deliver, especially with RR teetering just above the bottom of the table, currently occupied by CSK.
RR have historically held the upper hand in clashes against PBKS. Out of 29 matches, RR lead with 17 wins compared to PBKS’s 11, with one tie.
In Jaipur, the Royals have been dominant, winning five of six encounters. In their last five meetings, RR edge ahead 3-2.
The Royals will miss the services of pacers Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.
PBKS, on the other hand, face uncertainty regarding the Australian trio Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Aaron Hardie.
Kyle Jamieson has joined the squad as an injury replacement.
RR Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Kunal Singh Rathore, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Impact Player: Shubham Dubey
PBKS Predicted XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Mitchell Owen, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Vijaykumar Vyshak
The Jaipur surface promises runs, with average first innings totals nearing 195.
Expect a high-scoring affair where chasing may be advantageous.
Weather-wise, it will be scorching, with temperatures peaking around 42°C and humidity ranging between 10–20 per cent.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
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