Top News

IPL 2025, PBKS beat RR to enter top two: Stats
18 May 2025

Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals in Match 59 of IPL 2025 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Opting to bat, PBKS banked on substantial knocks from Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh. They compiled 219/5, the highest first-innings total in Jaipur.

RR started well with a blistering 76-run stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but they could reach 209/7.

Harpreet Brar took three wickets.

PBKS cross 200 despite top-order collapse
PBKS innings

PBKS lost Priyansh Arya and Mitchell Owen early after electing to bat. Prabhsimran Singh's dismissal brought them down to 34/3.

Wadhera formed a crucial 67-run partnership with the injured Iyer thereafter. Although the PBKS skipper departed following a start, he continued his exploits with Shashank.

The latter found support from Azmatullah Omarzai's cameo (21* off 9 balls) thereafter, as PBKS reached 219/5.

Flying start for RR
Start

RR's run-chase was off to a flier. Jaiswal hammered Arshdeep Singh for 22 runs in the opening over.

The young Vaibhav Suryavanshi collected 17 runs off the second over bowled by Marco Jansen.

Jaiswal and Suryavanshi continued their exploits as RR reached their fifty in the third over.

Although Harpreet Brar dismissed Suryavanshi for a 15-ball 40, RR were 89/1 after six overs.

Brar's spell helps PBKS bounce back
Comeback

Samson, who returned to the RR setup after recovering from his injury, joined Jaiswal after Suryavanshi's dismissal. He kept the RR bowlers at bay from the outset.

However, Brar trapped Jaiswal in the ninth over, which swung the match in PBKS's favor.

Dhruv Jurel broke the shackles after a couple of quiet overs. However, Brar's match-winning spell made a difference.

PBKS attain these feats
Record

According to Cricbuzz, PBKS's 219/5 is now the highest first-innings total at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

They broke the record of Mumbai Indians, who compiled 217/2 against RR earlier this season.

PBKS also recorded the highest IPL total for side after being three down for less than 35 in an innings.

They went past Lucknow Super Giants (213/9 vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2023).

Key numbers for Wadhera, Shashank
Numbers

Wadhera slammed a 37-ball 70 (4s-5 and 6s-5), his career-best score in the tournament.

His previous-highest IPL score was 64 that came against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2023.

Meanwhile, Shashank finished unbeaten on 59 off 30 balls (5 fours and 3 sixes).

He slammed his fourth half-century in the tournament. Two of his fifties have come this season.

Shreyas Iyer completes 300 sixes
Iyer

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer batted outside of the top four in the first innings. Batting at five, he scored a steady 25-ball 30 (5 fours) before falling to Riyan.

Iyer, who later subbed himself out with injury, completed 300 fours during his knock.

The PBKS batter now has 303 fours and 140 sixes in the cash-rich league.

Match-winning spell from Brar
Brar

Brar, who replaced Iyer in the second innings, brought PBKS back in the hunt. He dismissed both RR openers, who ran riot in the first six overs.

The PBKS spinner was introduced inside the Powerplay by stand-in skipper Shashank Singh.

After being economical early on, Brar knocked over Riyan Parag in his final over. He conceded just 22 runs from four overs.

PBKS re-enter top two
Fact

With their eighth win, PBKS have re-entered the top two in the IPL 2025 standings. Another win would seal their playoff berth. On the other hand, RR have already been knocked out of the race.

---