Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 50 runs in Mullanpur on Saturday. Yashasvi Jaiswal played a brilliant knock, while Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, and Maheesh Theekshana bowled with precision. With this win, RR maintained their unbeaten run. They now sit at seventh with two wins from two games. On the other hand, PBKS suffered their first defeat of the season. They began their home campaign with a setback and currently hold the fourth spot with two wins and one loss.
Jaiswal Leads From the Top in RR’s Innings
Earlier, Punjab Kings chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings for RR. Right from the start, they looked confident. In the sixth over, Samson hit a boundary off Maxwell to bring up 50 runs. Both openers added a fiery 89-run partnership.
However, Lockie Ferguson gave PBKS a breakthrough. Shreyas Iyer took a sharp catch to dismiss Samson for 38 off 26 balls. After 10.2 overs, RR were 89/1.
Parag Joins Jaiswal, RR Cross 200
After Samson’s dismissal, Riyan Parag came to the crease. Together with Jaiswal, he kept the scoreboard moving. In the 12th over, RR crossed the 100-run mark, and Jaiswal reached his first half-century of IPL 2025.
Then, in the 14th over, Jaiswal got out for 67 off 45 balls. His knock included three fours and five sixes.
Following Jaiswal’s wicket, Nitish Rana joined Parag. But his stay was short. Marco Jansen dismissed him for 12 in the 15th over. RR stood at 138/3.
Next, Shimron Hetmyer came in. He supported Parag at the other end. In the 16th over, Parag smashed a boundary to take RR past 150.
Although Hetmyer got out in the 19th over for a quick cameo, Parag and Dhruv Jurel finished the innings strongly. RR ended at 205/4 after 20 overs.
PBKS Bowlers Struggle to Contain RR
For PBKS, Lockie Ferguson took 2/37. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen claimed one wicket each. However, they failed to stop RR from posting a huge total.
Archer’s Early Strikes Rock PBKS
To begin the chase of 206, PBKS got off to the worst possible start. Jofra Archer dismissed Priyansh Arya for a golden duck on the first ball. Just five balls later, he removed in-form captain Shreyas Iyer for 10. Consequently, PBKS slipped to 11/2 within the first over.
Soon after, Marcus Stoinis fell for just one run. Sandeep Sharma took a sharp return catch to send him back. At that point, PBKS were struggling at 26/3 in 3.3 overs.
By the end of the powerplay, PBKS had crawled to 43/3. Nehal Wadhera (8*) and Prabhsimran Singh (17*) remained at the crease.
Kartikeya and Hasaranga Maintain Pressure
However, the pressure didn’t ease. In the 7th over, Prabhsimran lost his wicket to Kumar Kartikeya for 17. Wanindu Hasaranga took a fine catch to dismiss him. PBKS slumped to 43/4.
Afterward, Glenn Maxwell joined Wadhera, and the two attempted to build a recovery. In the 10th over, they attacked Kartikeya and scored 19 runs with two sixes and two fours. At the halfway mark, PBKS stood at 78/4, with Wadhera on 29* and Maxwell on 14*.
Their 50-run stand came in just 33 balls. Furthermore, PBKS crossed the 100-run mark in the 13th over. Wadhera soon reached his first half-century in Punjab colours in just 33 balls, smashing two fours and three sixes.
Spinners Strike Back-to-Back
Nevertheless, Rajasthan Royals didn’t let the momentum shift. Theekshana and Hasaranga struck in consecutive deliveries. First, Theekshana removed Maxwell for 30 off 21 balls. Then, Hasaranga dismissed Wadhera, who had scored a solid 62 off 41 balls. PBKS dropped to 131/6 in 15.1 overs.
Following that collapse, PBKS lost two more quick wickets. Suryansh Shedge (2) and Marco Jansen (3) failed to contribute. Soon, PBKS were 145/8 in 17.4 overs.
Eventually, they managed to finish their innings at 155/9. Shashank Singh (10*) and Lockie Ferguson (4*) remained unbeaten at the end.
RR Bowlers Deliver Winning Performance
Jofra Archer impressed with 3/25 in four overs. Sandeep Sharma bowled economically and picked up 2/21. Theekshana also did well, grabbing 2/26 in his spell.
Brief Score
RR: 205/4 in 20 overs (Jaiswal 67, Parag 43*; Ferguson 2/37)
PBKS: 155/9 in 20 overs (Wadhera 62, Maxwell 30; Archer 3/25, Sandeep 2/21, Theekshana 2/26)
