Rajasthan Royals (RR) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 59th match of IPL 2025. The game will be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The match will start at 3:30 PM.
Although RR are already out of the playoff race, they still have a chance to hurt PBKS' chances. On the other hand, PBKS need just one more win to officially book a playoff spot. Earlier this season, RR had defeated PBKS by a big margin of 50 runs. Now, they will look to repeat that result at home.
Current Standings
As of now, PBKS sit in third place on the points table. They have won seven out of ten matches and lost three.
Meanwhile, RR are in ninth position. They have only three wins and nine defeats. With just two matches remaining, they are already eliminated.
A Tough Season for RR
Clearly, this season has been disappointing for Rajasthan Royals. After Chennai Super Kings, they became the second team to exit the playoff race. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and missed opportunities have all contributed to their downfall.
Moreover, captain Sanju Samson missed five matches due to injury. In his absence, Riyan Parag led the team, but they still failed to deliver positive results.
Silver Linings for RR
Despite the setbacks, RR discovered new hope in young talent. Notably, Vaibhav Suryavanshi impressed everyone by scoring a century in just his third IPL match. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his fine form. So far, he has scored 473 runs in 12 innings, making him one of their top performers.
However, RR are still struggling with squad depth. Injuries and the unavailability of overseas stars like Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger have weakened their options.
PBKS Eyeing Playoff Berth
In contrast, PBKS are in a strong position. They looked dominant in their last game against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. At 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs, they were on track for a big score. Unfortunately, the match was called off due to security concerns. The game has now been rescheduled to May 24 in Jaipur.
Availability Issues for PBKS
Even though PBKS are third in the standings with 15 points, there are concerns. Some of their key overseas players—Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie—have not confirmed their availability for the remaining matches.
Due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the situation remains uncertain.
PBKS Bring in Replacements
To address injury issues, PBKS have made some changes. They brought in Mitchell Owen to replace Glenn Maxwell. Likewise, Kyle Jamieson came in as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson.
However, South African all-rounder Marco Jansen won’t be available during the playoffs, even if PBKS qualify. Still, Azmatullah Omarzai and Xavier Bartlett are available to strengthen the squad.
Pitch Report
The Jaipur pitch has supported batting in recent games. Notably, the average first-innings scores have increased over the last four matches. Even though the ground has big boundaries, bowlers find it hard to stop runs when batters settle in. Therefore, a score above 200 is expected once again.
Weather Report
Fortunately, the weather will remain clear during the match. According to forecasts, there is no chance of rain. Temperatures are likely to range between 30°C and 41°C, making it a hot evening in Jaipur.
Probable Playing XI's
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Maheesh Theekshana / Kwena Maphaka, Yudhvir Singh / Shubham Dubey.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): Priyansh Arya / Vyshak Vijaykumar, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Mitchell Owen, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.