PBKS vs RR IPL 2025 : Match 18 of IPL 2025 sees Punjab Kings (PBKS) square off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on April 5. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season but will be aiming for consistency going into this crucial clash. With power hitters on both sides and a batting-friendly pitch on offer, fireworks are expected under the lights.

Match Details

• Fixture: PBKS vs RR

• Date: April 5, 2025

• Time: 7:30 PM IST

• Venue: New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh

• On-Field Umpires: Ulhas Gandhe, Swaroopanand Kannur

• Third Umpire: Virender Kumar Sharma

Head-to-Head Record

Team News

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

PBKS come into this game with a mix of individual brilliance and team inconsistencies. Young opener Priyansh Arya impressed with a 47-run blitz, while Prabhsimran Singh smashed a 69 in his second game. Captain Shreyas Iyer is in red-hot form with two unbeaten fifties (97* & 52*), hitting 13 sixes already this season.

Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh have added middle-order firepower, with Singh hammering 44 off 16 in Game 2. However, all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are yet to fully click—Maxwell has two wickets but no runs, while Stoinis has been expensive with the ball.

In the bowling unit, Arshdeep Singh leads with 5 wickets, supported by Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen, though the pace attack has lacked bite. Yuzvendra Chahal will shoulder spin responsibilities.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR’s campaign has been a rollercoaster. Sanju Samson has led from the front with 108 runs in 3 matches, including a classy 66 against SRH. He has historically dominated PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh, scoring 39 runs off 22 balls at a strike rate of 177.27.

Dhruv Jurel has emerged as a finisher, scoring 91 runs across games, including a stunning 70 against Hyderabad. Nitish Rana has made an instant impact, smashing 81 off 36 balls in a match-winning knock vs CSK.

The bowling attack revolves around Wanindu Hasaranga, who picked up 4 wickets in his last game and has 5 in total. However, consistency remains a concern with Deshpande, Archer, and Theekshana struggling to contain runs at the death.

Pitch Report – New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh

The Mullanpur pitch is batting-friendly, offering true bounce and pace early on. It allows batters to play through the line, and the outfield is fast. However, as the game progresses, spinners may get some purchase.

Pitch Stats

• Total Matches Played: 5

• Wins Batting First: 2 (40.00%)

• Wins Batting Second: 3 (60.00%)

• Wins After Winning Toss: 2 (40.00%)

• Wins After Losing Toss: 3 (60.00%)

• Highest Team Total: 192/7 (MI vs PBKS, 2024)

• Lowest Team Total: 142 (PBKS vs GT, 2024)

• Best Bowling: 4/29 by Arshdeep Singh (PBKS vs SRH, 2024)

• Highest Individual Score: 78 by Suryakumar Yadav (MI vs PBKS, 2024)

Toss Prediction

Chasing has proven to be the favorable option here with 60% wins. Expect the toss-winning captain to field first and capitalize on the dew and pitch conditions later in the night.

Weather Forecast for April 5, 2025

Expect a hot and dry day transitioning into a cool evening in Chandigarh. Temperatures will range from 19°C to 37°C with clear skies and no expected rainfall. Ideal conditions for a full high-scoring contest.

Fantasy & Performance Metrics

PBKS vs RR IPL 2025 Playing XI

PBKS Playing XI:
Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shegde, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Player: Vijay Kumar Vyshak

RR Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C & wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmayer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande
Impact Player: Kumar Kartikeya

Dream11 Fantasy Team – PBKS vs RR IPL 2025

Wicketkeepers: Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS), Sanju Samson (RR)

Batters: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), Nitish Rana (RR)

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis (PBKS), Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Jofra Archer (RR)

Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga

Session Predictions & Tips

Powerplay (Overs 1-6):

Expected Runs: 40-50

Wickets: 2-3

Conditions: Early movement expected. Arshdeep Singh and Jansen will likely test the top order. Hasaranga might bowl in the powerplay to extract some spin.

First 10 Overs:

Expected Runs: 85-100

Insights: Both teams have strong top-orders, but RR’s Jaiswal and Samson will be key. PBKS will rely on Iyer’s consistency and attack. Stoinis’ role with the bat will be pivotal.

Death Overs (Overs 16-20):

Expected Runs: 50-60

Strategy: PBKS’s death bowling will rely on Jansen and Arshdeep, while RR will look to Dhruv Jurel and Hetmyer to accelerate. Both teams have explosive finishers.

PBKS vs RR IPL 2025 Prediction

Both teams are packed with explosive batting and bowling options. Punjab Kings have a strong middle order with Maxwell and Stoinis, while Rajasthan Royals possess depth with Hetmyer and Samson. RR’s pace attack with Archer and Theekshana is formidable, but Punjab’s top order might give them the edge.

Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win.

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