Chandigarh, Apr 4 (UNI) The IPL 2025 season has already thrown up thrilling contests, but none more intriguing than the upcoming showdown between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
At the heart of this encounter lies an electrifying subplot - Shreyas Iyer vs Sanju Samson, two comeback captains with a point to prove.
Both leaders have endured their share of setbacks but are back in the limelight, determined to guide their teams to IPL glory. Iyer has hit the ground running with two unbeaten half-centuries (97* & 52*), leading PBKS to a flawless start with two wins in two matches.
Samson, on the other hand, has been Rajasthan's standout performer with 108 runs in three games, but his team has struggled for consistency. Adding spice to the contest, Samson has dominated PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh in past encounters.
As both captains push for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad, this clash is about more than just IPL points, it’s about staking a claim on the big stage.
Punjab have been in scintillating form, setting the tournament ablaze with two consecutive victories. They started with a thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans, amassing 243/5, before brushing aside Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets, thanks to a power-packed performance from Prabhsimran Singh and Iyer.
Rajasthan, in contrast, have had a turbulent start. A high-scoring battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad saw them post 242/6, but SRH’s record-breaking 286 proved too much. A lacklustre batting display against Kolkata Knight Riders followed, leading to another defeat. However, RR roared back against Chennai Super Kings, defending 182 in a tense 6-run win, with Nitish Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls proving to be the difference.
Historically, RR hold the edge, having won 16 of their 28 encounters against PBKS, while Punjab have triumphed 11 times, with one match ending in a tie.
PBKS’ batting unit looks formidable, with Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh leading the charge. Priyansh Arya, who smashed 47 off 23 against Gujarat Titans, is another key contributor at the top. Nehal Wadhera adds depth, having played an unbeaten 43-run cameo in the last match.
In the all-rounders’ department, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis provide balance. Maxwell is yet to fire with the bat but has been handy with the ball, while Stoinis is still searching for his best form.
PBKS bowling will rely on Arshdeep, who has already bagged five wickets in two matches. Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen will bring pace and bounce, while Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to play a crucial role in the spin department.
RR’s hopes rest on their captain, Samson, who has been the most consistent batsman for them. He has found support from Dhruv Jurel, who played a breathtaking 70-run knock against SRH, and Nitish Rana, whose blistering 81 against CSK turned the tide for Rajasthan.
Their bowling attack will be led by Wanindu Hasaranga, who has five wickets in two games, including a sensational four-wicket haul in the last match. Jofra Archer’s fiery pace, Tushar Deshpande’s swing, and Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery spin add variety to RR’s bowling arsenal.
Match day in Mullanpur promises clear skies with temperatures ranging between 19 and 37 degrees Celsius. The pitch is expected to favour batsmen initially but could offer turn for spinners as the game progresses. Teams chasing have historically had the advantage at this venue, with three out of five matches last season won by the side batting second.
Punjab have the momentum and enter as favourites, but Rajasthan are desperate to turn their season around. With two of IPL 2025’s most dynamic captains going head-to-head, expect a contest filled with fireworks, tactical battles, and high-voltage drama.
The team winning the toss is likely to bowl first, looking to exploit the chasing advantage at Mullanpur.
Teams: Punjab Kings Predicted XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh. Key Players: Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh.
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande. Key Players: Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Wanindu Hasaranga.
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