Punjab Kings Triumph Over Rajasthan Royals in Thrilling IPL Clash

In a gripping IPL 2025 encounter, the Punjab Kings edged out the Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs, driven by Harpreet Brar's outstanding bowling. The match saw explosive performances from both teams, with Rajasthan's Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel making notable contributions. Despite a strong start, the Royals fell short in their chase of 220 runs. This victory propels the Punjab Kings to second place in the standings, while the Royals struggle at ninth. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the match's key moments and player performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 02:03 IST

Punjab Kings Secure Victory Against Rajasthan Royals

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India] - On May 18, a stellar bowling display by left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar propelled the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a narrow 10-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

This win elevated the Punjab team to second place in the IPL 2025 standings with 17 points from 12 matches, while the Rajasthan Royals fell to ninth with just 6 points from 13 games.

In pursuit of a daunting target of 220 runs, Rajasthan's openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 runs off 25 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 runs off 15 balls) aggressively attacked the bowlers right from the start.

The Royals reached the 50-run mark in the third over, with Jaiswal hitting a boundary on the second last ball of the over. The duo scored 67 runs in just 25 balls before Suryavanshi was dismissed in the fifth over, leaving the score at 76.

Following Suryavanshi's exit, captain Sanju Samson joined Jaiswal, and the team crossed the 100-run milestone in the eighth over. However, in the 11th over, Jaiswal was dismissed by Brar, marking the second wicket loss.

Samson (20 runs in 16 balls), Riyan Parag (13 runs off 11 balls), and Shimron Hetmyer (11 runs from 12 balls) struggled to make significant contributions. Dhruv Jurel's 53 runs off 31 balls were crucial but ultimately insufficient for victory.

Brar was the standout bowler for PBKS, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs, while Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai each claimed 2 wickets.

Earlier, after winning the toss, PBKS opted to bat first. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya began with some aggressive boundaries. However, Tushar Deshpande dismissed Priyansh for just 9 runs, caught by Hetmyer.

Debutant Mitchell Owen joined Prabhsimran but was quickly dismissed for a duck, leaving PBKS at 34/2. Deshpande continued his impressive bowling, sending Prabhsimran back for 21 runs, and PBKS found themselves at 34/3.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera then steadied the innings, bringing up the team's 50 in the 6th over. By the end of the powerplay, PBKS was at 58/3, with Nehal (11*) and Shreyas (13*) not out.

The pair continued to score steadily, with Nehal and Iyer reaching a half-century partnership in 34 balls. At the 10-over mark, PBKS was at 97/3, with Nehal (37*) and Shreyas (26*) still at the crease.

PBKS crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over, but Iyer was caught shortly after for 30 runs. Nehal and Shashank Singh then added 17 runs in the 13th over, with Nehal reaching his fourth IPL fifty in just 25 balls.

At the end of 15 overs, PBKS stood at 147/4, with Nehal (63*) and Shashank (18*) still batting. Nehal was dismissed for 70 runs in the 16th over, but Shashank continued to score aggressively.

PBKS reached 200 runs in the 19th over, and in the final over, Shashank completed his fifty in 27 balls, helping PBKS finish their innings at 219/5.

Deshpande was the leading bowler for RR with figures of 2/37, while Maphaka, Parag, and Madhwal each took a wicket.

Brief Score: Punjab Kings 219/5 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 70, Shashank Singh 59*; Tushar Deshpande 2/37) vs Rajasthan Royals 209/7 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 53, Yashasvi Jaiswal 50; Harpreet Brar 3/22).