Date: April 5, 2025
Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (RR’s secondary home ground) 13
Match Overview
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off in what promises to be a high-octane encounter in the IPL 2025 league stage. PBKS, led by the record-breaking Shreyas Iyer (bought for ₹26.75 crore), started their campaign with a thrilling win over Gujarat Titans, while RR aims to bounce back after a heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad 1113.
Key Storylines
- PBKS’s Batting Firepower:
- Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 97* off 42 balls against GT showcased his form. Support from debutant Priyansh Arya (47 off 23) and finisher Shashank Singh (44 off 16) makes PBKS a formidable batting unit 11.
- Glenn Maxwell (dismissed for a duck in the opener) will look to redeem himself.
- RR’s Bowling Concerns:
- RR conceded 286 runs to SRH, with Tushar Deshpande (3/44) being the lone bright spot. Their spinners, including Yuzvendra Chahal, need to step up 13.
- Dhruv Jurel’s 70 off 35 in the chase against SRH hints at RR’s depth.
- Venue Dynamics:
- Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium is known for high scores. RR’s decision to split home games between Jaipur and Guwahati adds unpredictability 13.
Players to Watch
| Team | Player | Role | Recent Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS | Shreyas Iyer | Captain/Batter | 97* (42) vs GT 11 |
| PBKS | Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | Broke GT’s key partnership 11 |
| RR | Dhruv Jurel | Batter | 70 (35) vs SRH 13 |
| RR | Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner | Needs to contain PBKS’s middle order |
Tactical Battles
- Spin vs Power Hitters: RR’s Chahal vs PBKS’s Iyer/Shashank.
- Death Bowling: PBKS’s Arshdeep vs RR’s Jurel/Riyan Parag.
Predicted XI
PBKS: Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel.
RR: Sanju Samson (C), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Tushar Deshpande.
Match Prediction
With PBKS’s batting momentum and RR’s desperation to rebound, expect a close contest. PBKS might edge it if their bowlers replicate GT’s death-over discipline.
For live updates, visit IPL Official Website 13.
Note: Detailed match reports will be updated post-game. Stats sourced from IPL 2025’s ongoing season
