Date: May 18, 2025
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Result: Punjab Kings won by 10 runs
Man of the Match: Nehal Wadhera (70 off 37 balls)
🔥 Match Overview:
In a high-voltage IPL 2025 fixture, Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 10 runs, bolstering their playoff hopes. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh led PBKS to a formidable 219/5 before the bowlers, especially Harpreet Brar, ensured RR fell short despite a valiant effort from their top order.
🏏 Punjab Kings Innings Highlights:
- Nehal Wadhera played a blistering knock of 70 (37), including quickfire boundaries and sixes.
- Shashank Singh remained unbeaten at 59 (33), anchoring the innings through the death overs.
- Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed a crucial 30.
- A late flourish from Azmatullah Omarzai (21 off 9)* helped PBKS reach 219/5.
- PBKS were 35/3 at one point but recovered to post one of the highest team totals after early setbacks.
RR Bowlers:
- Tushar Deshpande took 2 wickets.
- Riyan Parag, Aakash Madhwal, and Kwena Maphaka chipped in with 1 wicket each.
🏃 Rajasthan Royals Chase Highlights:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 24) and 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15) gave RR a flying start, adding 76 in just 4.5 overs.
- Dhruv Jurel fought hard with a determined 53, keeping RR in the hunt till the last over.
- RR lost momentum after Harpreet Brar dismissed Suryavanshi, Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag — finishing with match-winning figures of 3/22.
- Marco Jansen picked 2 wickets in the final over to seal the win for PBKS.
RR ended on 209/7, just 10 runs short of the target.
🏆 Key Moments:
- Harpreet Brar’s triple strike changed the game’s momentum.
- Marco Jansen’s double-wicket over in the 20th crushed RR’s final hopes.
- PBKS, after being 35/3, scored 219/5 – the highest IPL total after early top-order collapse.
📊 Notable Records:
- PBKS 219/5: Highest total in IPL history after being 3 down for under 35.
- Third 200+ total at Jaipur this season.
- Jaiswal’s 15th IPL fifty and another impactful innings from youngster Suryavanshi.
🎯 Final Scorecard Summary:
Punjab Kings:
219/5 (20 Overs)
- Wadhera 70 (37), Shashank 59* (33)
- Deshpande 2/35, Parag 1/20
Rajasthan Royals:
209/7 (20 Overs)
- Jaiswal 50 (24), Jurel 53 (36)
- Brar 3/22, Jansen 2/34
📌 What’s Next?
Punjab Kings move closer to securing a playoff berth with this win. Rajasthan Royals, though spirited, need to reassess their middle-overs strategy after this narrow defeat.