In the 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 50 runs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
PBKS won the toss and asked RR to bat first. The opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal (67) and Sanju Samson (35) provided a top start, with Jaiswal scoring a much-needed fifty. Notably, both batters added 89 runs for the first wicket partnership. Riyan Parag (43) further hammered three fours and three sixes, at the strike rate of 172, to take the score ahead. The likes of Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, and Dhruv Jurel played handy cameo to take the score to over 200.
In the chase, all the batters failed to deliver, with only Nehal Wadhera (62) getting a half-century. The batter scored four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 151.22. Glenn Maxwell (30) also scored a few runs; however, no help from other batters became the major reason for their loss.
While defending, Jofra Archer bagged three wickets and just gave away 25 runs. Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana scalped two wickets, whereas one wicket each was plucked by Kumar Kartikeya and Wanindu Hasaranga.
For PBKS with the ball, Lockie Ferguson got two wickets, while one wicket each was taken by Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen.
Jofra Archer was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling show. With this win, RR now have four points and are seventh on the points table.
Scorecard:
Rajasthan Royals: 205/4, Overs 20, Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Lockie Ferguson 2/37
Punjab Kings: 155/9, Nehal Wadhera 62, Jofra Archer 3/25