The stage is set for Punjab Kings to play their first home game of IPL 2025 as they take on Rajasthan Royals in Match 18 of the season. The clash will be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on April 5. With an impressive start to the tournament, PBKS currently sit at the top of the table. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, the team has shown strong performances, and they’ll be looking to maintain their winning momentum.
What to Expect from the Pitch?
The Mullanpur pitch has generally favoured batters, with an average first-innings score of 170 in the last 10 matches. Historically, teams batting first have had a slight advantage, winning 60% of the games played here. Captains winning the toss might lean towards setting a target rather than chasing.
Head-to-Head Battle
Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other 28 times in T20 cricket, with Rajasthan leading the contest with 16 wins compared to Punjab’s 12 victories. In their last five meetings, Rajasthan Royals have had the upper hand, winning three matches, while Punjab Kings have secured two victories. The highest total posted by Punjab Kings in these encounters is 197, while Rajasthan’s lowest score in the last five matches has been 144.
Punjab Kings’ Strengths and Key Players
Punjab Kings have a well-balanced squad with a mix of explosive batters and impactful bowlers. Shreyas Iyer, who has been in fine form, will be crucial in anchoring the innings and leading from the front. Arshdeep Singh’s ability to pick up key wickets, especially in the powerplay and death overs, makes him a vital asset for the team. With strong all-round options in the squad, Punjab Kings will look to dominate their first home game of the season.
Punjab Kings Squad :
Harnoor Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Josh Inglis (wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Vishnu Vinod (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Kuldeep Sen, Lockie Ferguson, Praveen Dubey, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal
Rajasthan Royals Squad
Nitish Rana, Sanju Samson (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Yudhvir Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Kunal Singh Rathore (wk), Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jofra Archer, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande
