Home Advantage Still a question mark for PBKS.
PBKS vs RR IPL 2025: Despite being a side with multiple home venues in recent seasons, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have yet to establish a solid home-ground advantage. Since 2023, they’ve shuffled between Mohali, Dharamsala, and their latest home—Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. But the results have been less than ideal. PBKS have lost four of their five games at Mullanpur and remain winless in Dharamsala, raising doubts ahead of their back-to-back home fixtures.
However, 2025 has started on a positive note. PBKS are one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition so far. With Shreyas Iyer leading the team and Ricky Ponting serving as head coach, Punjab appears more Punjab’s top order has consistently performed well, and their bowling unit has demonstrated resilience under pressure. The bowling unit has held its own under pressure.
game marks their first at home this season, and they’ll hope the momentum can help reverse their poor run at Mullanpur.
Rajasthan Royals Seeking Spark from Top Order
Rajasthan Royals (RR) enter the match bringing various results, including early defeats; they found their rhythm in a convincing win over Chennai Super Kings. Yet, questions linger—especially around the top order.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of their key performers in previous seasons, is struggling for form. The absence of impactful contributions from their overseas stars has also left the batting unit looking thin. However, Nitish Rana and Dhruv Jurel have delivered clutch performances when needed, while Sanju Samson returns as the full-time captain and wicketkeeper after playing the first three games in an impact-sub role.
Bowling has shown promise. After a shaky start, Jofra Archer has recovered, and the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana is starting to perform well. Ky Start, Jofra Archer has recovered, and the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana is starting to perform well. At the outset, Jofra Archer has recuperated, and the spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana is beginning to perform well. unit again.
PBKS vs RR: Match Details
- When: Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 PM IST
- Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
What to Expect
Mullanpur has proven to be bowler-friendly since it started hosting T20s in 2022. The average first-innings score has hovered around 170-180, with totals above 190 being rare. In fact, only two sco In fact, there have only been two scores exceeding 200 in the 28 T20s played here at the meetings. the best economy rate (7.08) of all venues, suggesting that Yuzvendra Chahal, Wanindu Hasaranga, and others could play pivotal roles.
Head-to-Head
RR vs PBKS: Rajasthan Royals lead 16-12 overall
Since 2020: RR have won 6 out of the last 9 meetings.
Team News & Tactical Matchups
Punjab Kings
No injury concerns reported.
Key Matchups:
- Yuzvendra Chahal has dismissed Nitish Rana 6 times and Sanju Samson 5 times.
- Marcus Stoinis has gotten the better of Yashasvi Jaiswal 3 times in 4 innings.
Probable XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Nehal Wadhera/Harpreet Brar
Rajasthan Royals
- Sanju Samson returns to full captaincy duties.
Key Matchups:
- Sandeep Sharma vs PBK middle order. He’s dismissed Iyer, Stoinis, and Maxwell 7 times combined with low strike rates.
Probable XII: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Kumar Kartikeya
Did You Know?
- Shashank Singh has the second-best strike rate (232.46) in deathovers since 2024.
- Shreyas Iyer has the third-highest win percentage (58.33%) among captains with 50+ IPL games.
- Since 2024, Yashasvi Jaiswal has lost seven wickets to short balls.
- Wanindu Hasaranga leads all bowlers in T20 wickets since 2024 with 94 wickets at an economy of 7.13.
Quotes Corner
“We have options for impact players – all-rounders, spinners, fast bowlers. If there are more options, players are always ready to do well for the team.”
— Sunil Joshi, PBKS Spin-Bowling Coach
“Missing three games was different. I saw the game from the dugout and learned. Now I’m back and fully fit. I’m excited.”
— Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals Captain. Source cricbuzz
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