IPL 2025 PBKS vs RR: Probable Playing XIs, Key Players To Watch: Sanju Samson To Return As Captain?
The inaugural season champions, Rajasthan Royals , have had a topsy-turvy start to their campaign, losing two of their opening games only to win the third.
IPL 2025 PBKS vs RR: Probable Playing XIs, Key Players To Watch: Punjab Kings are hosting the Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium for Match 18 of IPL 2025 on Saturday, April 5, in an evening game.
The inaugural season champions, RR, have had a topsy-turvy start to their campaign. While they lost their first two games against Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kolkata Knight Riders, they won against the Chennai Super Kings and will now be upbeat about their chances in the tournament.
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On the other hand, Punjab, chasing an elusive trophy, have been the top performers in this tournament, with two wins in as many games and look very confident and balanced ahead of their next fixtures.
Punjab are placed at the top of the points table, with four points from two games and a net run rate of 1.48. Rajasthan, on the other hand, lie a lowly ninth, with two points from three games and an NRR of -1.11.
Punjab are coming off a resounding eight-wicket win against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, while Rajasthan beat Chennai by just six runs last week and will be desperate for the next two points.
Punjab do not seem to have many problems. While Arshdeep Singh has been expensive, he has also picked up wickets and that has ensured that his team has remained unbeaten till now.
Rajasthan, though, will cherish the comeback of Sanju Samson, the captain, after Riyan Parag led them for the first three matches. The youngster took quite some time to get used to the pressure of IPL captaincy, but his move to make Sandeep Sharma bowl the final over against CSK turned out to be a masterstroke.
In the two teams’ last encounter at this venue, a brilliant spell from Keshav Maharaj restricted Punjab to a paltry 147/8, which Rajasthan chased down with one delivery remaining.
PBKS’ Likely Playing XI:
With two comprehensive wins in their bag, there is no reason why Punjab should change their winning XI. Arshdeep is expected to find enough help from the track, and on a batting-friendly wicket, it wouldn’t make much sense to change the current order.
Punjab Kings Probable Playing 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
RR’s Likely Playing XI:
The same applies to Rajasthan, too and finally having found a win after two losses, tinkering with a winning lineup may see them face some hurdles again. Samson is expected to return as captain and hence, he doesn’t feature as an Impact Player anymore.
Rajasthan Royals Probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande
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