🏏IPL 2025 - Match 59: PBKS vs RR on 18th May 2025 at SMS, Jaipur🏏

🏏IPL 2025 - Match 59: PBKS vs RR on 18th May 2025 at SMS, Jaipur🏏

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, today, May 18, in Match Number 59 of IPL 2025.

The visiting side, PBKS, will be looking to confirm their place in the playoffs with a win. They currently have 15 points to their name — another win will take them to 17, almost confirming their top-four finish on the points table.

On the other hand, RR will look to secure a much-needed win to keep the danger of the wooden spoon away from them. They currently have 6 points, similar to bottom-placed CSK, who they will face in their last match on Tuesday. If they manage to win against PBKS, they will walk into that game with an advantage.

Game abandonments are never ideal, especially when you have racked up 122 in 10.1 overs batting first. However, extraordinary circumstances deterred Punjab Kings from pushing for the two points. That game will be replayed, of course, but PBKS will know that such momentum doesn't come every day. For starters, conditions in Jaipur won't be anywhere close to Dharamsala where strokeplay and powerhitting has been productive for the batters.

It's not that Jaipur has been very tough to score against, but the nature of the pitches remain a constant puzzle. PBKS resume their IPL 2025 campaign at this venue, taking on the home side in the afternoon game today (May 18).

Like most teams, the visitors have also had some overseas setbacks, while some foreign players may not be part of the playoffs, should they get there. Nevertheless, Punjab look a formidable outfit with all departments firing on all cylinders. The batting in particular has been in terrific form, led by the uncapped opening duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh.

[Tag and Logo credit to Wildestdreams]

Captain Shreyas Iyer has led by example and the sheer intent-filled batting approach of PBKS has often pulverised opponents. They'll be up against a Rajasthan Royals side that are already eliminated and have a struggling bowling unit.

It has been a season to forget for RR, barring some individual sparks from their players. Losing regular skipper Sanju Samson for most parts hasn't helped, and their inability to close out comfortable chases would be haunting them. He is, however, set to make a comeback for this fixture and was seen sweating it out in training.

RR's auction strategy for the bowling department was fickle and backfired this season. With just the cliché'd pride to play for, the Royals will want to sign off their home leg on a high.

A lot has changed since their reverse fixture in Chandigarh that RR won handsomely by 50 runs. On form, they are likely to find it tough against the Kings but the fact that this game has a lot more significance for the latter also adds pressure to it. And pressure, along with the unpredictability of the T20 format, can do funny things.

When: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2025, May 18 at 3.30 PM

Where: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

What to expect: It's peak summer time and Jaipur has been scorching hot with temperatures in the 40s. This being an afternoon game means that the heat will be a factor. The surface has generally been good to bat on this season with the bowlers also getting some help at times. Expect more of the same, particularly with the curator having gotten enough time due to the break.

Head to head: RR 17-12 PBKS.

The surface at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. While conditions can influence how the pitch plays, teams have found success both while setting a target and chasing one.

Historically, chasing has proven more favourable at this venue, with teams batting second winning 39 matches compared to 22 victories for sides batting first.

The pitch tends to be on the slower side, which can assist spinners in the middle overs, especially under lights. However, with a good batting surface upfront, batters can capitalise during the powerplay.

The average first-innings score here is approximately 164, suggesting a competitive total but not necessarily a match-winning one unless backed by strong bowling.

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur (since IPL 2024)

• Matches – 9, Bat 1st won – 4, Bat 2nd won – 5
• Avg 1st inns score – 187/5 (Run rate – 9.35)
• Lowest total defended – 180, Highest target chased – 210
• 200+ totals: 2 times in 8 matches | Sixes per match – 17
• Pace: Overs% – 59, Wkts – 45, Avg – 40.4, Eco – 9.9, SR – 24.5
• Spin: Overs% – 41, Wkts – 22, Avg – 51.6, Eco – 8.9, SR – 34.8

Winning score at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur (in IPL since 2024):

• 1st inns score 180 or above: Mts – 7, Bat 1st won – 4, Bat 2nd won – 3
• 1st inns score less than 180: Mts – 2, Bat 1st won – 0, Bat 2nd won – 2

Recent match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium

The last match played here was Match 50 of IPL 2025 between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. In that game, MI posted 217/2 batting first, while RR, in reply, were bundled out for just 117 runs as MI walked away with a huge 100-run win.

Other key stats at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has hosted a total of 61 matches in the Indian Premier League so far. Of these, teams batting second have enjoyed greater success, winning 39 matches (63.93 per cent), while sides batting first have won 22 matches (36.07 per cent). The venue has seen no matches end without a result.

Interestingly, winning the toss has offered a slight edge, with teams that won the toss emerging victorious in 33 matches (54.10 per cent), compared to 28 wins (45.90 per cent) for those losing the toss. The average first-innings score at this ground stands at 162.8, with an average of 29.21 runs per wicket and 8.23 runs per over, making it a fairly balanced pitch.

Some of the most memorable individual and team performances have taken place here. Virat Kohli holds the record for the highest individual score at the venue — an unbeaten 113 for RCB against RR on April 6, 2024. Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 for RR against CSK back in 2008 remains the best bowling figures recorded at the ground. The highest team total is 217/6, posted by Sunrisers Hyderabad against RR on May 7, 2023, while the lowest total was a mere 59 by Rajasthan Royals against RCB on May 14, 2023. The highest successful run chase achieved at the stadium is 199/7 by Gujarat Titans, also against RR, on April 10, 2024.

Pitch Report – Jaipur Stadium

TPitch Report – Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

The Jaipur pitch has historically assisted batters early on, but as the game progresses, spinners get good purchase. It’s a ground where chasing is not always easy due to the dryness and slower nature in the second innings.

Best Strategy: Win the toss and bat first

Average 1st Innings Score: 165

Matches Won Batting First: 3

Matches Won Chasing: 2

Perfect weather for a full 20-over contest without any interruptions.

Team watch:

Rajasthan Royals

Injuries/Unavailabilities: Jofra Archer has chosen not to return for the season's final two games. A replacement hasn't been named. Sanju Samson is set to return after recovering from injury.

Tactics and matchups:

Arshdeep Singh is tied with Khaleel Ahmed for the most wickets in the first three overs of an innings in this season - 7. But Sanju Samson has a formidable record against Punjab's pace ace. The RR skipper has hit at a SR of 188.09 and has been dismissed only once by Arshdeep in the IPL.

Probable XII: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Kwena Maphaka.

Punjab Kings

Injuries/Unavailabilty: The trio of Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis haven't joined back. They will be unavailable for this fixture. Mitch Owen and Xavier Bartlett have joined the squad. Kyle Jamieson has been named as replacement for Lockie Ferguson.

Tactics and matchups:

RR have been the worst fast bowling side in terms of averages in IPL 2025, and the second-most expensive after LSG. Those numbers will look even poorer excluding Archer's exploits. PBKS have been hitting at 10.25 in the PowerPlay - second only to RR themselves - and Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya will hope to lay down an early marker in the clash.

Probable XII: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Mitch Owen, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Xavier Bartlett.

Did you know?

- RR have failed to take a PowerPlay wicket in 5 of their 12 matches so far.

- Yashasvi Jaiswal has averaged 70.5 in RR's wins this year and only 35.12 in defeats, underscoring his importance to the team's fortunes.

What they said:

"I think we'll go in with a pretty similar structure, even if there's some different players that are in those roles, the way we're going to play is going to be very similar." - James Hopes

Last 5 Matches:

• 2025: Rajasthan Royals won by 50 runs (Mullanpur)
• 2024: RR won by 3 wkts (Mullanpur)
• 2024: PBKS won by 5 wkts (Guwahati)
• 2023: PBKS won by 5 runs
• 2023: RR won by 4 wkts

Key Stat: RR has won 3 of the last 5 encounters, including at this very venue.