In the 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Kings (PBK) hosted Rajasthan Royals (RR) Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mulanpur, Chandigarh. After winning the toss, PBK chose to bowl, where he limited RR to 205 runs. Yashsvi Jaiswal's standout performance helped Rajasthan Royals cross the 200.
Being unbeaten in two out of three matches, which he played, was on the bowlers of Onas Royals, to ensure that he assigned the first loss of the tournament to PBK, which he won by 50 runs. Jofra Archer stole the spotlight with his remarkable bowling performance against Punjab Kings.
talking points
1. Speed of top order profit of Rajasthan Royals
The success of Rajasthan Royals on Punjab kings was largely due to the top order which was looking for its flow in the end. After struggling in IPL 2025 with a low score of 1 against SRH, 29 and 4, Yashasvi Jaiswal finally got his form and gave his team a concrete start with 67 with a well -prepared 67 in 45 balls which included 3 to four and 5 sixes. Captain, Sanju Samson strengthened Aadhaar with 38 consecutive runs off 26 balls.
Ryan Parag made a remarkable contribution, as well as 43 runs off just 25 balls with a strike rate of 172 runs. Rajasthan's batting lineup appears currently as the top three are playing well and Nitish Rana is settling in number four. With this solid foundation, the Royals are set to dominate their upcoming matches.
2. Return of Jofra Archer
During the match between PBK and RR, Joffra Archer's outstanding bowling performance stole the show and gave properly to the supporter of every Rajasthan Royals as to what they were waiting. The English pacer returned with a blast, taking two important wickets at its inauguration. He took two wickets for just twenty runs at the end of his four -over stent.
Priyash Arya was bowled clearly for a duck with the initial ball of Archer. Archer hit Shreyas Iyer with a surprising ball, which gave the same deadly blow, provoking his stump in the same over. By having those two early successes, Archer prevented any possibility of return by ensuring that the top order of PBKS never got a chance to settle.
3. Pbks middle and lower order struggle
When PBK lost to Rajasthan Royals, his middle and lower order was a great source of concern. None of other hits were able to finish and end the game with the authority, even though Nihal Wadera performed 62 runs. With a fast thirty runs, Glenn Maxwell displayed the brightness of talent, but in a vital moment Mahesh Thekshana ended any idea of a PBK's return in a vital moment, as if he appeared ready to seize the initiative.
Marcus Stoinis, who was scoring 21 runs only in his first four matches, decreased like former sports. Shashank Singh and Suryash Shegde, who made a lower middle order, also fought to maintain the speed that Wadera established.
Also read: PBKS vs. RR, Match 18: Star Sports Scorecard disappears between 13.3 to 15 overs – what happened?
who said what?
Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals captain
The way we started in the powerplay, we thought we are running a little less, but the quality of the batsmen we have found was a very good score on 205 boards. Very young batting lineup, at a very young age but he has played a lot of games for the country. They are very well managed and playing the game. (On Archer and Sandeep) This is a very deadly combo. A man bowls at 150 and a man at 115. (It is being said that Sandeep hit 130kph) Oh he did it? We should cut a cake on it. I can trust them a little more with pressure overs. (On Archer) We all love it when he bowls fast. Doing this for me in the last 4 years, he is one of the best people in India who is still bowling fast. We held a small meeting in the timeout and I suggested that they are a quality side and we cannot make it easy. We cannot guarantee a win until the previous ball is bowled. We focused on this process and the result took care of ourselves. We took our time to find out what the best combinations and lineups and orders are, injuries we have to take care because it is a long tournament.
Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings Skipper
To be honest (on performance), I was considering around 180–185. It would be good to pursue here, we were not able to execute our plans. I am glad that it happened early in the Blip tournament. It was a decent pitch, the ball was holding a little and we were not giving them much speed. (On what went wrong, I felt that we could slow down it and try to form a partnership, but tried to learn a lot from this game. Today there was no dew as we estimated, but I think we need to go back to the drawing board and watch the videos where we were not able to execute with our bowling and batting. No, Nahl was unprecedented under pressure and then the bowlers were able to take maximum advantage of the situation.
Joffra Archer, Match players
The tournament started but happy to contribute to victory. When such days occur, you make sure that you have come in cache, you enjoy good people and take bad people into your strid. You will be lucky under some circumstances, everyone is taking a difficult training like you, not a great day every day. (If he is West Indian or England) then no comment.
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