MULLANPUR, India — Punjab Kings (PBKS) go face to face with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the 18th match of IPL 2025 on March 5 at 7:30 PM IST. After a fresh start this season, PBKS hopes to establish a strong home record following their shaky past in Mullanpur.
Last season saw PBKS struggle on home soil, winning just one out of five matches. With the recent shift from Mohali to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, their journey has been far from smooth, as they also played home matches in Dharamsala. This season, PBKS still seeks their first win in Mullanpur, having lost four out of five games last year. However, the current squad carries a more promising outlook, being one of two teams still unbeaten in IPL 2025.
Led by captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS boasts a well-rounded team, their batting lineup, led by Iyer, having shown effectiveness in the first two matches. Iyer’s leadership and the support of experienced players like Glenn Maxwell have the team feeling confident. “We have a lot of depth in the squad now, and it’s about leveraging that to maintain our good form,” Iyer mentioned.
On the flip side, Rajasthan Royals will be coming off a recent win against Chennai Super Kings, hoping to build on that momentum. However, their young star Yashasvi Jaiswal struggles to find his form, which has raised concerns over their batting depth. “It is important for our top order to step up; we need to build solid starts,” said RR captain Sanju Samson, who is back after recovering from injury.
Despite their previous inconsistencies, RR’s bowling lineup, featuring Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga, begins to show signs of stability. Their bowling coach commented, “We are starting to gel as a unit. It’s crucial we keep that going into this match.”
The match will take place in a stadium known for being challenging for batsmen, needing a total of around 180-190 to feel secure. Last season, the highest first-inning score was just 192. “Given the pitch conditions, we will prepare our strategy accordingly,” added Iyer.
Historically, RR holds a slight advantage over PBKS, boasting a 16-12 win record since the inception of the IPL. Both teams display a history of competitive matches, often producing electrifying performances whenever they meet. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses; it often comes down to who can execute on the day,” Iyer shared.
One critical aspect both teams will need to address is the early match tactics. PBKS plans to utilize Yuzvendra Chahal strategically against RR’s top batsmen like Samson and Rana, who they have encountered numerous times in previous matches. RR, too, focuses on finding the right matchups to leverage their players’ strengths against PBKS.
As the match day approaches, excitement builds not only for the game itself but also for individual performances. Can Jaiswal shake off his struggles to become a key player for RR? Will PBKS capitalize on their home advantage to secure their first win in Mullanpur? Fans anticipate an exhilarating clash between these two teams.
