PBKS vs RR Highlights | IPL 2025 | RR Crush PBKS by 50 Runs in Match 18 | PBKS vs RR

Rajasthan Royals Cruise to Dominant 50-Run Win Over Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 Clash at Mullanpur

Summary
Rajasthan Royals registered a resounding 50-run victory over Punjab Kings in Match 18 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
A blistering start by Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Sanju Samson set the stage for RR’s formidable 205/4.
Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer followed up with explosive knocks to finish with a flourish.
Punjab Kings, chasing 206, faltered under pressure as Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma dismantled their top order.
The Royals’ spin duo of Theekshana and Hasaranga ensured PBKS never recovered, sealing an easy two points for the visitors.

Scorecard Summary

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Date: April 5, 2025
Toss: Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 50 runs
Player of the Match: Riyan Parag – 43* (25)

Rajasthan Royals – 205/4 (20 overs)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – 67 (45)

• Sanju Samson – 38 (26)

• Riyan Parag – 43* (25)

• Shimron Hetmyer – 20 (12)

• Lockie Ferguson – 4-0-37-2

Punjab Kings – 155/9 (20 overs)

• Glenn Maxwell – 30 (21)

• Nehal Wadhera – 62 (41)

• Shashank Singh – 10* (13)

• Jofra Archer – 4-0-25-3

• Sandeep Sharma – 4-0-21-2

Royals’ ruthless batting display sets Mullanpur on fire

Rajasthan Royals came into this contest needing a statement win and that’s exactly what they delivered. After being asked to bat first on a slightly tacky Mullanpur surface, the visitors made the most of the powerplay through an aggressive partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. Jaiswal played freely, showing off his full range, with three sixes and seven fours in his 45-ball 67. Samson was just as clinical, racing to 38 off 26 with his trademark lofted drives and flicks before falling to Lockie Ferguson.

Even after both openers departed, the tempo never dropped. Enter Riyan Parag, who continued his rich vein of form. With clean strokes and intelligent placement, Parag not only stabilized the middle but accelerated brilliantly in the final overs. His unbeaten 43 from 25 balls included three sixes and provided the perfect bridge to the final flourish, which came courtesy of a quick cameo by Shimron Hetmyer. The left-hander, known for his late-game impact, smashed a 12-ball 20, pushing RR to a massive 205/4.

The Punjab Kings bowlers looked out of rhythm. While Lockie Ferguson took two wickets, including the crucial scalp of Jaiswal, he went for 9.2 an over. Maxwell bowled one tidy over, but Yuzvendra Chahal and Marcus Stoinis proved ineffective, leaking 8.5 and 12 runs per over, respectively. RR walked off at the halfway mark knowing they had a very defendable score.

Punjab Kings crumble under pressure despite Wadhera’s fight

Chasing 206 was always going to be tough, but Punjab Kings lost the plot early. They were rocked on the very first ball when Priyansh Arya fell to Jofra Archer for a golden duck. That dismissal set the tone for the innings. Captain Shreyas Iyer, coming off a string of starts, perished in the same over for just 10, clean bowled by a 150 km/h peach.

The collapse continued as Marcus Stoinis played a forgettable knock, scoring just one before handing Sandeep Sharma a dolly return catch. Prabhsimran Singh, promoted to steady the innings, couldn’t break free and managed only 17 off 16 before falling to Kumar Kartikeya.

The only resistance came from Nehal Wadhera, who played the lone fighting knock for Punjab. Wadhera’s 62 off 41 balls was an exhibition of temperament and timing. He struck four fours and three sixes, trying to anchor the innings while wickets fell around him. His 88-run stand with Glenn Maxwell was the only bright spot in an otherwise grim scorecard.

Maxwell, despite a few crisp shots, failed to convert his start, falling to Theekshana after scoring 30 off 21. Once Wadhera was dismissed in the 15th over, the game was all but over. Shashank Singh hung around till the end, but the asking rate had already spiraled out of reach.

Jofra Archer, Theekshana lead Rajasthan’s bowling masterclass

The credit for Punjab’s collapse goes to a relentless bowling performance from the Royals. Jofra Archer, often criticized for inconsistency in recent seasons, found his rhythm and pace at just the right time. He removed Arya and Iyer in the opening spell, returning later to get Arshdeep Singh and finish with 3/25.

Sandeep Sharma, the ever-reliable swing bowler, bowled tight lines and picked up 2 wickets for just 21 runs. His variations once again proved difficult to score off, especially in the middle overs.

However, the turning point came when Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were introduced. The spin twins tightened the grip on PBKS, with Theekshana scalping two vital wickets including Maxwell and Marco Jansen. Hasaranga, although slightly expensive, picked up a key wicket and kept Punjab’s batters guessing with his googlies and sliders.

Even when Punjab tried to accelerate, Rajasthan’s fielding remained sharp. Hetmyer was involved in two important catches, showcasing the Royals’ all-round excellence on the night.

Where this win takes Rajasthan Royals

This emphatic 50-run win lifts Rajasthan Royals into the top half of the IPL 2025 points table. It wasn’t just about the margin it was the manner of dominance. With their top order clicking, middle order brimming with firepower, and bowlers showing variety and control, the Royals look like a well-oiled machine once again.

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will go back to the drawing board. Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bowl first backfired, and with the top order continuing to misfire, the pressure mounts for Ricky Ponting’s side, who now have two wins from four matches.