The IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is scheduled for today, April 5, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, starting at 7:30 PM IST. PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, are at the top of the points table with two wins, while RR, captained by Sanju Samson, are ninth with one win from three matches. The pitch report suggests a balanced surface, and the head-to-head record favors RR, but PBKS’s recent form makes them strong contenders.
Fantasy 11 Prediction
For fantasy cricket, consider including wicketkeepers like Sanju Samson (RR) or Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS), batsmen such as Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) and Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), all-rounders like Wanindu Hasaranga (RR) and Sam Curran (PBKS), and bowlers including Jofra Archer (RR) and Arshdeep Singh (PBKS). Team selection should account for player form and the balanced Mullanpur pitch.
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RR:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jure, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
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PBKS:
Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Kuldeep Sen.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Mullanpur, based on recent IPL 2025 matches, is described as balanced. It has hosted games where teams scored competitively, such as PBKS chasing 172 against LSG with ease and SRH defending 182. The surface offers good batting conditions but also assists bowlers, with a history of close contests. Weather forecasts suggest pleasant conditions, with evening temperatures around 18°C and low humidity, ideal for T20 cricket.
Comprehensive Analysis of RR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match
The IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 5, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is a significant encounter, with PBKS leading the points table and RR looking to recover from early setbacks. This analysis covers team predictions for fantasy 11, top batsmen, probable teams, head-to-head records, top bowlers, best finishers, pitch conditions, team squads, and match facts, providing a detailed overview for cricket enthusiasts.
Match Context and Schedule
The match is scheduled for April 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST, aligning with the IPL 2025 calendar that runs from March 22 to May 25, 2025.
For fantasy cricket, selecting a balanced team is crucial. Based on recent performances, the following players are recommended:
- Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson (RR) or Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS), given their batting contributions and wicketkeeping roles.
- Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), known for his opening prowess; Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), who has scored 149 runs in two matches; Nitish Rana (RR), with a recent 81 off 36 balls; and Shashank Singh (PBKS), a finisher with 252 runs average in recent games.
- All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), who took 4 wickets against CSK, and Sam Curran (PBKS), a versatile all-rounder, though recent squad updates suggest Marcus Stoinis or Glenn Maxwell could also fit.
- Bowlers: Jofra Archer (RR), for his pace; Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), with 3 wickets against LSG; and Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), the most expensive spinner in IPL history at INR 18 crore.
Team selection should consider the balanced pitch at Mullanpur, which may favor both batsmen and bowlers, and recent player form, such as Nitish Rana’s explosive innings and Arshdeep Singh‘s bowling impact.
Top 4 Batsmen for Both Teams
The top 4 batsmen are determined based on recent performances and batting order:
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Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, an opening batsman with potential despite a slow start.
- Sanju Samson, captain and wicketkeeper, scored 15 in the last match.
- Nitish Rana, who smashed 81 off 36 balls against CSK, joining RR’s fastest half-centurions.
- Riyan Parag, contributing 37 off 28 balls recently, a key middle-order batsman.
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Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- Prabhsimran Singh, scored 69 against LSG, a vital opener.
- Shreyas Iyer, captain, with 52 not out in the last match, fifth-leading run-scorer with 149 runs.
- Nehal Wadhera, scored 44 off 21 balls against LSG, emerging as a finisher.
- Shashank Singh, with a recent average of 42 and 165.78 strike rate, a strong lower-order batsman.
These selections reflect recent match performances and squad roles, ensuring a mix of openers, middle-order, and finishers.
Probable Teams today match
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Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jure, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma.
- Impact Player: Shubham Dubey, based on recent usage.
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Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Kuldeep Sen.
- Impact Player: Options include Vishnu Vinod or Josh Inglis, depending on strategy.
These line-ups reflect recent match reports, with RR adjusting after Sanju Samson’s return as captain and PBKS maintaining a strong top order.
Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record between RR and PBKS, based on historical IPL data, is as follows:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR | 16 | 12 | 28 |
| PBKS | 12 | 16 | 28 |
RR has a slight edge, winning 16 of 28 encounters, with notable wins including a nine-wicket victory in IPL 2010. The last meeting in IPL 2024 saw PBKS win by 5 wickets, indicating recent competitiveness.
Top Bowler for Both Teams
The top bowlers are selected based on recent wicket-taking ability and squad roles:
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Jofra Archer, known for his pace, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who took 4 wickets against CSK, are key. Sandeep Sharma also contributed, defending 19 in the last over.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh, with 3 wickets against LSG, and Yuzvendra Chahal, despite one wicket so far, are crucial. also showed promise.
These selections highlight bowlers likely to impact the game on a balanced pitch.
Best Finisher for Both Teams
Finishers are players who excel in the death overs, based on recent performances:
- (RR): Shimron Hetmyer is the best finisher, known for late-innings acceleration, though recent scores were low; Dhruv Jurel could also fit.
- (PBKS): Nehal Wadhera, with 44 off 21 balls against LSG, and Shashank Singh, with a strike rate of 165.78, are strong finishers. Jitesh Sharma, if played, could also contribute.
Match Facts
Interesting facts about the match include:
- This is the first encounter between RR and PBKS at Mullanpur Stadium in IPL 2025, marking a new venue challenge.
- Shreyas Iyer makes his debut as PBKS captain, having been bought for INR 26.75 crore, the highest bid in IPL history.
- RR is looking to bounce back after losing two of their first three matches, with Sanju Samson returning as captain after a finger injury.
- The head-to-head record shows RR’s historical dominance, but PBKS’s current form, with two wins, makes this a closely contested match.
