The IPL 2025 resumed on 17th May after a brief suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict, and now all eyes are on the crucial face-off between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on 18th May. Punjab Kings, sitting at 3rd place with 7 wins in 11 games, are on the brink of sealing a playoff spot. Rajasthan Royals, however, find themselves at 8th place, with just 3 wins in 12 matches. For PBKS, this match is a chance to solidify their top-four position, while for RR, it’s a fight to salvage pride and disrupt the playoff race for others, but unfortunately they are out of the IPL 2025 race.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can catch RR Vs PBKS live on Star Sports Network in India, Fox Sports in Australia, and Ten Sports in Pakistan. Match Time: 3:00 pm PST | 3:30 pm IST | 10:00 am GMT.
Team Analysis
The Punjab Kings team have looked like a complete unit this season, with Shreyas Iyer leading from the front both as captain and batsman. Their top-order featuring Josh Inglis, Prabhsimran Arya, and Priyansh Arya has been dynamic, often giving explosive starts. The middle-order has stepped up recently, with Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis adding crucial runs during death overs. Morocer, another big assets for the team is their phenomenal fielding efforts, featuring dew of the most epic catches of this season of IPL 2025.
On the bowling front, Punjab Kings has found stars in Arshdeep Singh, who continues to dominate the pace department, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who provides early breakthroughs. However, the team’s death bowling has looked shaky at times, leaking runs in the final overs. Another concern is inconsistency in finishing matches under pressure—a vulnerability they must fix before the playoffs. In terms of form, the Punjab team comes into this match after a narrow win but remains one of the strongest contenders due to their balanced side and tactical discipline.
Rajasthan Royals on the other hand, have had a disappointing season. Inconsistency with both bat and ball has cost them dearly. Despite individual brilliance from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and the ever-reliable Riyan Patidar, the Rajasthani squad has failed to string together match-winning performances. Injuries and changes in the batting order have also hampered their rhythm. The team have failed to utilize the batting powerplay to optimum and have often found themselves all out before the 20 overs landmark.
Their bowling unit, led by Jofra Archer, has struggled to defend totals. The absence of a quality spinner has made them vulnerable on slower pitches. Tactical indecision and leadership inconsistency have added to their woes. Senior players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have proven to be immensely expensive for the team. With nothing to lose, Rajasthan Royals might look to experiment and upset PBKS rhythm—an approach that makes them dangerous on their day.
Conclusion
The high-stakes clash between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings will be held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The Punjab team have won 3 of their last 5 matches at this venue, while RR will aim to break the trend and end their campaign on a high. Key players to watch include Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh for PBKS, and Shivam Dube and Wanindu Hasaranga for the RR squad. While Punjab seeks playoff momentum, Rajasthan aims to play the spoiler. Expect fireworks and fearless cricket in this crucial IPL showdown. If you want to watch RR Vs PBKS live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
