The 59th match of the TATAIPL 2025 was a thrilling match between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at sawai mansingh stadium, Jaipur. This was an important match for both the teams, and the PBKS clinched the match for 10 runs, helping their case for playoffs.
Punjab Kings’ batting rebounds after middle order meltdown:
PBKS won the toss and captain Shreyas Iyer exercised his right of deciding to bat. After a shaky start, the decision seemed to be a poor one with PBKS 34/3 in 4 overs with debutant Mitchell Owen out for a duck, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh unable to bowl a good opening match. Arya out in the second over and Prabhsimran at 21 (10) after Tushar reviewed the D.R.S and PBKS was in early trouble.
However, the middle order was sufficient to retrieve the innings without panic. Nehal Wadhera, in what was arguably one of the best innings of his IPL career, blitzed a rapid-fire 70 off just 37 balls, batting with aggression, with five boundaries and 5 sixes. He reached his half century from 25 balls, and together with captain Shreyas Iyer (30 from 25) established a partnership of 67 runs that would salvage PBKS innings. Iyer understood that his responsibility was to bat slowly, and allow Wadhera to unleash his natural game to establish a foundation for later delivery of their runs through all 20 overs.
Shashank Singh’s game changing innings:
With during the 16th over being 159/5, PBKS required something extra to propel their innings at that point. Shashank Singh – measured, powerful, aggressive, put came in and blasted an unbeaten 59 from 30 balls, including four 4s and three 6s. Shashank arrived at the crease able to link up well with quick scoring with Azmatullah Omarzai who also scored quickly with 21* (9) runs. The late heroics of these two, helped propel PBKS to 219/5 runs after 20 overs. After being in some trouble at the start of theirs innings, PBKS were now in good odds to defend against arguably a very potent Rajasthan Royals line-up.
Rajasthan Royals brought the heat:
Facing 220 runs after after the rain and a super soggy wicket, RR – one would think are on the mat. What a start! Rajasthan began to get rolling with feather-stepping Yashasvi Jaiswal and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi pummeling the ball distributed the boundaries against limited PBKS bowlers who could only hasarion on. You could see Arshdeep Singh breathing a crying breath as 22 runs flew past to start the innings. Marco Jansen was next where the young cricketer smacked 17 runs from his body misbody rampage. In just 2.5 overs RR had already run felled 50 runs, being pollinated from otherwise being dead/pool. RR blasted past 50 runs in guick succession, becoming the quickest team in IPL 2025 for most runs in excess.
The Punjab Kings brought some control back into the game by Harpreet Brar with by bowling a excellent straight one to dismiss Vaibhav for rapid 40 run blitz (only 14 balls). Harpreet Brar took the reins proving his ball had a mind of it’s own, when it ripped past the blades of gear of Yashasvi Jaiswal – dismissing him aswell with being only 50 runs from 24 balls. Punjab Kings were liking their chances as they established a solid distance between the two teams – at 119 runs for the RR. अर्जुन T.O_RD’s quartet fell for cheap innings – essentially leaving RR with no “dog” in the “fight”!
Harpreet Brar – game changer!
Brar was outstanding both himself, but subsequently disappointing all other RR players seeking to continue building upon their runs from the field. Brar ended with three wickets, including the two most dangerous Jaiswal and Vaibhav. Harpreet Brar’ left hand spin planned out well with some astute bowling to restrict RR runs; under false prompting from Captain Iyer; as the RR bunch, but Villa without a purpose. Harpreet Brar’s just not as quickly as a tripple reverse, that kept pace of after bowler! 2 for Haree, every time prema.
In sum: Punjab Kings – hat’s off for extraordinary fight in their innings; stakes played in innings rounds off from pitchline mind fields, to do reduce exposure to excess pressure being pummelled pugished out to run out players, an offer of an livable option, provided RR could keep in control and contain at the same number of targets and status, essentially being away from and close by at a limited length!
The Final Over Drama
With 55 required from the last 24 balls, RR needed Dhruv Jurel to lead the charge, and he did just that with a fighting 53 from 31 balls. But in the final over, Jansen kept his head, defended 22 runs, and lost 2 big wickets to help PBKS take the victory. This victory sees PBKS rise to 17 points from 12 matches, keeping them in contention for the playoffs, though dependent on results in matches to follow.
Conclusion – PBKS “Targeting” the Playoffs
With this exhilarating victory, Punjab Kings are officially alive and still in the playoff race… and they can be very hopeful of claiming a playoff spot if and ONLY if the Gujarat Titans can beat the Delhi Capitals in the second match of the night and then the PBKS must take care of business over their last two matches – but hopefully can carry the momentum from that last match against the Titans.
The matches afford an exciting atmosphere to the ending of the group phase and we can really look forward to an outstanding finish to the season now these teams will be fighting for playoff slots!
