By Chirag - Apr 05, 2025 03:58 PM
The 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season promises to be a thrilling encounter as Punjab Kings (PBKS) lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday, April 5, at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh. This fixture marks PBKS’s first home game of the season, and they enter the clash with their confidence sky-high after winning both their opening matches.
PBKS began their campaign with an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans, followed by a dominant eight-wicket win against the Lucknow Super Giants. Meanwhile, RR have had a rocky start, losing their first two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the Royals bounced back strongly with a solid win over Chennai Super Kings to open their account for the season.
With both teams boasting some exceptional batting talent, fans can expect fireworks with the bat. Let’s take a look at three batters who could score the most runs in today’s PBKS vs RR match.
Sanju Samson returns to the RR captaincy role after featuring as an impact player in the opening games. He began IPL 2025 on a positive note, scoring a fluent 66 off 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he couldn’t follow it up with substantial contributions in the next two matches—managing only 20 runs off 16 balls against CSK—Samson remains a vital cog in RR’s batting unit.
With 99 runs from three games at an average of 33.00 and a strike-rate of 154.68, Samson has shown glimpses of form. Known for his elegant stroke play and ability to accelerate, he could be due for a big knock today. Given his consistency over the past few IPL seasons, Samson will be key to RR’s chances of upsetting an in-form PBKS side.
Prabhsimran Singh, PBKS’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, brings energy and flair to the top order. Though he failed in the season opener against Gujarat Titans, scoring just five runs, he bounced back in style with a blistering 69 off 34 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. His attacking innings, featuring a strike-rate of 202.94, earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.
With 74 runs in two matches at an average of 37.00 and an impressive strike-rate of 176.19, Prabhsimran is shaping up to be a game-changer at the top. Surrounded by power-hitters like Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and skipper Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran has the freedom to play his natural attacking game, making him a player to watch out for in this fixture.
Shreyas Iyer has been in phenomenal form this season and is leading PBKS by example. With two match-winning half-centuries under his belt, the skipper has amassed 149 runs in just two innings. His unbeaten 97 off 42 balls against Gujarat Titans was a masterclass in controlled aggression, followed by another unbeaten 52 against Lucknow Super Giants.
Iyer’s staggering strike-rate of 206.94, coupled with his calmness at the crease, has made him one of the most reliable batters in IPL 2025 so far. Notably, he is yet to be dismissed in the tournament, reflecting his superb form and mental clarity. Having carried his momentum from the 2025 Champions Trophy, Iyer will look to anchor the innings once again and steer PBKS to a hat-trick of wins.
As Punjab Kings aim to maintain their unbeaten run and Rajasthan Royals strive to build on their recent win, today’s contest is expected to be a high-octane clash. With the likes of Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shreyas Iyer in action, fans are in for a treat filled with classy strokes, big hits, and potentially, match-winning innings.
Also Read: CSK vs DC IPL 2025: Playing 11 and Why Ruturaj Gaikwad is OUT?
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