The 59th game of the IPL 2025 will be played between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 18, 2025. The encounter will unfold at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, known for its spin-friendly conditions and vibrant crowd.
- Date & Time: Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3:30 PM IST
- Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- Broadcast: Star Sports, JioHotstar
With PBKS gunning for a top-two finish and RR already out of the playoff race, the dynamics of this match are uniquely poised. Punjab will look to cement their position in the top half of the table, while Rajasthan aim to play spoilers and give their fans something to cheer about in their final matches.
🔥 Latest Updates and Talking Points
📌 Samson Returns, PBKS Adjust Without Stoinis & Inglis
Rajasthan Royals’ regular captain Sanju Samson is set to return to the playing XI after missing three weeks due to a side strain. In his absence, young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi impressed with fearless batting at the top, including a record-breaking 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, face a tricky situation. Two key overseas players — Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis — have not rejoined the squad. Their replacements, Australian BBL star Mitchell Owen and New Zealand’s tall pacer Kyle Jamieson, are likely to step in. Owen is expected to debut, bringing a new flavor to PBKS’s middle-order setup.
📊 Head-to-Head Record: RR vs PBKS
- Total Matches Played: 29
- Rajasthan Royals Wins: 17
- Punjab Kings Wins: 12
RR and PBKS have shared a history of high-scoring thrillers and close finishes. From Tyagi’s dramatic last-over defense in 2021 to record run chases, this fixture has often produced fireworks.
🏟️ Venue Insights: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- Pitch Type: Traditionally flat with some turn; slower as the match progresses in rr vs pbks
- Average 1st Innings Score: 164
- Day Match Temperature: 41–42°C, dry heat
- Dew Factor: Minimal due to afternoon timing
RR might prefer batting first as chasing has brought them limited success — only one win in eight chases this season.
📈 Team Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)
- Rajasthan Royals: LLWLL
- Punjab Kings: WWLWW
PBKS are in strong form while RR are looking to recover from a string of defeats.
🔍 Key Players in Focus (RR vs PBKS)
🧢 Sanju Samson (RR)
After clearing his fitness test, the RR skipper is ready to reclaim his role both as leader and top-order batter. He is expected to bat at No. 3, with Suryavanshi and Jaiswal opening.
🚀 Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR)
At just 14, he has been the breakout star for RR this season, scoring 155 runs in five innings at a staggering strike rate of 209.45.
🔥 Priyansh Arya & Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
This opening duo has delivered consistently, contributing over 500 runs together. Arya, in particular, has maintained a strike rate close to 190 in the powerplay, the highest among all openers with 100+ balls faced.
🎯 Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
Punjab’s pace spearhead, Arshdeep has been deadly in the death overs and continues to be one of the most dependable Indian pacers in the league.
🔢 Stats & Trivia (RR vs PBKS)
- Most Sixes in Powerplay (2025): Yashasvi Jaiswal (19), Priyansh Arya (16)
- Highest Strike Rate in Powerplay (100+ balls): Priyansh Arya – 189
- Most Sixes in First 10 Balls Faced: Riyan Parag – 12
- RR’s Pace Bowling Average: 52.1 (worst this season)
- RR Economy Rate: 9.3 – among the highest in IPL 2025
- PBKS Powerplay Run Rate: 10.4 – second highest in the tournament
🧠 Fantasy Tips & Dream11 (RR vs PBKS)
Top Picks
- Marcus Stoinis (If available) – All-round option, but likely unavailable
- Priyansh Arya – Reliable opener
- Sanju Samson – Impactful returner
- Wanindu Hasaranga – Potential MVP with bat and ball
- Arshdeep Singh – Best bet for death overs
Dream11 Team Prediction
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (VC), Prabhsimran Singh
Batters: Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (C), Mitchell Owen
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, Tushar Deshpande
📝 Probable Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (C, WK)
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Shubham Dubey
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Tushar Deshpande
- Kwena Maphaka
Impact Sub (if used): Akash Madhwal
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Mitchell Owen
- Nehal Wadhera
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Shashank Singh
- Harpreet Brar
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Sub (if used): Kyle Jamieson
⚖️ Match Prediction (My View)
Punjab Kings enter this match with the momentum and clarity of purpose. With their playoff hopes alive and a top-two finish in sight, their motivation is high. RR, while out of the tournament, have the young firepower to surprise any team.
Prediction: PBKS to win but expect a strong fight from RR.
Next sections coming up: Full historical breakdown, IPL playoff qualification scenarios, and expert quotes.
