Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals at New PCA Stadium: Explosive Showdown!
Date: April 5, 2025 | Venue: New PCA Stadium, Mohali | Time: 7:30 PM IST
Match Overview
The 18th match of IPL 2025 sees Punjab Kings (PBKS) lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Mohali’s New PCA Stadium. Fresh off a record-breaking 243/5 against Gujarat Titans, PBKS aims to extend their dominance, while RR seeks redemption after a narrow loss to Lucknow Super Giants. With playoff momentum at stake, expect fireworks in this battle of explosive batting vs tactical bowling.
Team Form & Recent Performance
- PBKS: Started strong with a 28-run win over GT, fueled by Shreyas Iyer’s 97* (42 balls) and Shashank Singh’s 44* (16 balls). Their bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh (2/35), held firm under pressure.
- RR: Mixed results with one win and one loss. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 89 (48 balls) lit up their opener, but a middle-order collapse cost them against LSG. Jofra Archer’s return (3/29 in two games) bolsters their pace attack.
Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | PBKS | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 22 | 22 |
| Wins | 10 | 12 |
| Wins at PCA Stadium | 3 | 2 |
RR leads historically, but PBKS won their last encounter here by 5 wickets.
Key Players to Watch
PBKS:
- Shreyas Iyer: Captain’s knock of 97* sets the tone. Strong against spin (SR 148.6).
- Arshdeep Singh: Death-over specialist; 8 wickets in 4 matches at PCA Stadium.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: 14 wickets in 10 games vs RR; spin threat in middle overs.
RR:
- Sanju Samson: 201 runs in last 4 games vs PBKS; anchors RR’s batting.
- Jofra Archer: 3 wickets in 2 games; pace and bounce to trouble PBKS’s top order.
- Riyan Parag: Finisher with 122.4 SR; critical in death overs.
Pitch Report & Conditions
- Surface: Batting-friendly with true bounce. Average first-innings score: 185. Pacers dominate early, spinners thrive later.
- Weather: Clear skies, 26–30°C, minimal dew. Toss-winning captain likely to chase.
- Venue Trend: 7 of last 10 matches won by teams batting second.
Predicted Playing XI
PBKS: Shreyas Iyer (c), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Impact Player: Kagiso Rabada (for pace boost).
RR: Sanju Samson (c/wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jofra Archer, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma.
Impact Player: Kunal Rathore (batting depth).
Strategies & Game Plan
- PBKS: Attack powerplays with Iyer and Prabhsimran; deploy Chahal and Arshdeep in middle/death overs.
- RR: Use Archer’s pace to dismiss PBKS’s top order early; target spinners Maxwell and Brar with Hetmyer/Parag.
Expert Predictions & Betting Odds
- Odds: PBKS (52% win probability) for batting firepower; RR (48%) for balanced attack.
- World777 Betting Tips:
- Top Batter: Shreyas Iyer (3.4 odds) – Back his consistency.
- Top Bowler: Jofra Archer (2.7 odds) – Bet on 2+ wickets.
- Match Winner: PBKS at 1.95 odds.
World777 offers competitive odds and instant payouts. Bet smartly to maximize earnings!
Fan Buzz & Social Media
- Trends: #IyerVsArcher, #PBKSvRR. Fans debate if Samson’s 38-ball 72 vs LSG justifies his ₹14.5 crore price tag.
- Polls: 54% back PBKS for home advantage; 46% trust RR’s playoff experience.
Final Thoughts
With PBKS’s explosive batting and RR’s tactical bowling, this clash hinges on key moments: Iyer vs Archer, Chahal vs Samson. Expect a high-scoring thriller under Mohali’s lights.
Place your bets on World777 and turn predictions into profits!
For live updates and exclusive offers, visit World777 – your trusted partner for IPL 2025 betting!
