PK vs RR: IPL 2025 Match 18- Preview

The 18th match of IPL 2025 features a highly anticipated clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the New PCA Stadium in Mohali on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Both teams are aiming for a crucial victory to keep their momentum going and secure valuable points in the early stages of the tournament. The contest promises to be an exciting affair with both teams boasting star players who can turn the game in an instant.

Team Preview

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings have a strong and dynamic squad, but they will be looking to improve their consistency this season. With explosive batsmen like Glenn Maxwell and Prabhsimran Singh, the top order has the potential to set up big totals. All-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen add significant depth to both the batting and bowling departments. In the bowling attack, Arshdeep Singh will lead the charge with the pace department, while Yuzvendra Chahal and other spinners will look to exploit the Mohali pitch, which can assist spin as the game progresses.

Rajasthan Royals (RR):

Rajasthan Royals, IPL’s inaugural champions, continue to have a balanced squad full of experience and young talent. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been key players with the bat, offering stability and explosiveness in the top order. With the ball, RR has reliable options like Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande, who will look to put the brakes on Punjab’s aggressive batting. The Royals will hope to maintain their winning form and build momentum with another strong performance in Mohali.

Match Details

Date: April 5, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Venue: New PCA Stadium, Mohali

Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Jio Hotstar app & website

Pitch and Weather Report

The New PCA Stadium offers a balanced pitch that supports both batting and bowling. Batsmen can enjoy a relatively good surface early on, but spinners are likely to come into play as the game progresses, especially in the second innings. The pitch tends to slow down during the course of the match, which could make chasing a challenging task. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first and assess the conditions before setting a target.

The weather in Mohali is expected to be clear with temperatures hovering around 31°C during the match. The humidity will be moderate, offering comfortable playing conditions. There are no chances of rain, which means a full 20-over game is on the cards.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Shreyas Iyer (C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prabhsimran Singh, Marco Jansen, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Nehal Wadhera

Rajasthan Royals (RR):

Jos Buttler (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Yudhvir Singh, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shubham Dubey, Harnoor Singh