The 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 brings an exciting clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The match takes place on April 5, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Fantasy cricket users can read this blog for PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction, helpful fantasy tips, and key information to create a strong fantasy team.
Match Preview
PBKS have started their season strongly, winning their first two matches. Their batting has looked very strong, with captain Shreyas Iyer playing a key role. He has scored two back-to-back half-centuries and improved his power-hitting. These strong performances have lifted the team’s confidence as they get ready to play their first match at home.
RR have had a mixed beginning, with one victory and two defeats. A big positive for the team is Sanju Samson’s full return as captain after his recovery following finger surgery. His captaincy and wicketkeeping add much-needed balance and experience to the side. The team hopes to use this boost to move up in the points table.
PBKS vs RR Head to Head Records
| Statistic | PBKS | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 28 | 28 |
| Wins | 12 | 16 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
PBKS vs RR Weather Report
Chandigarh is expected to experience hazy sunshine with very hot conditions, reaching a high of 40°C (104°F) and a low of 19°C (66°F). The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for a very high forest fire risk in the area, effective until Thursday, 5:30 PM IST.
PBKS vs RR Pitch Report
Match Details:
- Date & Time: April 5, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | The pitch at Mullanpur is composed of black soil, which traditionally offers consistent bounce and pace. This composition tends to favor batsmen, allowing for high-scoring encounters. |
| Pace and Bounce | Fast bowlers can expect assistance, especially with the new ball. The surface provides notable pace and bounce, making the initial overs crucial for seamers to exploit any movement. |
| Spin Factor | Spinners have found limited success on this pitch. In the initial IPL matches held here, spinners accounted for only a few wickets, indicating that the pitch offers minimal turn and assistance to spin bowlers. |
| Dew Influence | Evening matches might experience dew, which can affect the bowlers’ grip and make the ball skid more, favoring the batting side in the second innings. Teams may consider this factor when deciding whether to bat or bowl first after winning the toss. |
| Average First-Innings Score | The average first-innings score at this venue has been around 178 runs. Teams batting first have posted totals exceeding 175 runs, suggesting that setting a competitive score requires aggressive batting strategies. |
| Preferred Strategy | Given the pitch conditions and potential dew factor, teams winning the toss might prefer to chase. The consistent bounce and pace make batting relatively easier in the second innings, and the presence of dew can further tilt the advantage towards the batting side during a chase. |
PBKS vs RR Playing 11 Predictions
Punjab Kings Playing11:
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Josh Inglis
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Nehal Wadhera
- Harpreet Brar
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Lockie Ferguson
Rajasthan Royals Playing11:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Jason Holder
- Trent Boult
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Sen
Injury and Availability News
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Sanju Samson: The RR captain has recovered from a finger injury and has been cleared to resume his leadership and wicketkeeping duties. He will take over the captaincy from Riyan Parag in today’s match against PBKS.
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- PBKS currently have no reported injury concerns. All key players are fit and available for selection in today’s game.
PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction
Wicketkeeper:
- Sanju Samson (RR): As the captain and a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals, Samson is expected to lead with the bat.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR): A promising young talent retained by RR, Jurel has shown potential in the middle order and can contribute valuable runs.
Batsmen:
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Acquired by Punjab Kings, Iyer brings stability and experience to the top order.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): A retained opener for RR, Jaiswal has been in good form and can provide a solid start.
- Shimron Hetmyer (RR): The only overseas player retained by RR, Hetmyer is known for his explosive batting in the middle order.
All-rounders:
- Marcus Stoinis (PBKS): Secured by Punjab Kings, Stoinis offers versatility with his batting and bowling abilities.
- Riyan Parag (RR): A young all-rounder retained by RR, Parag has the potential to contribute in both departments.
Bowlers:
- Kagiso Rabada (PBKS): A key pacer for Punjab Kings, Rabada’s pace and accuracy make him a threat to any batting lineup.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): Known for his death-over bowling, Arshdeep has been a consistent performer for PBKS.
- Sandeep Sharma (RR): Retained by RR, Sandeep’s experience and swing bowling can be crucial, especially in the powerplay overs.
- Rahul Chahar (PBKS): A skilled leg-spinner, Chahar adds variety to the PBKS bowling attack.
Captain: Sanju Samson (RR)
Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
Match Prediction – Who Will Win PBKS vs RR?
PBKS have displayed strong form this season, remaining unbeaten in their initial matches, bolstered by the positive influence of coach Ricky Ponting. Conversely, RR have had a mixed start, with captain Sanju Samson returning to lead the side. Considering PBKS’s current momentum and home advantage, they might have a slight edge in this fixture.
Note: Fantasy cricket involves an element of luck, and player performances can vary. It’s advisable to stay updated with the latest team news and player form before finalizing your team.
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I love Cricket and Kabaddi and know a lot about them. I like talking about matches and players, helping people understand these sports better. Additionally, I enjoy providing predictions for upcoming games to add an extra layer of excitement for fans.
