As the IPL 2025 enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on Match 59, where the Rajasthan Royals (RR) face off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in an afternoon clash at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Scheduled for Sunday, May 18 at 3:30 PM IST, this fixture holds significance for both teams, though for very different reasons.
Match Details
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Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, Match 59, IPL 2025
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Date & Time: Sunday, May 18, 3:30 PM (IST)
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Venue: Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur
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Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels
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Live Streaming: JioHotstar (App and Website)
Pitch Report
The pitch at Jaipur has remained consistent this season. Known for being batter-friendly, it offers a flat surface and short boundaries that make it ideal for high-scoring matches. The nature of the pitch does not change much during the course of the game, which means chasing remains a favourable option for captains winning the toss.
Rajasthan Royals – Team Overview
The Royals have already been knocked out of the playoff race, having won only 3 out of their 12 games this season. They are currently placed 9th on the points table. Despite a disappointing campaign, the team can still play party spoilers in their remaining two matches.
Led by Riyan Parag, RR has shown flashes of potential, especially from its young Indian core. However, injuries and lack of consistent performances have derailed their campaign.
Key Players
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Yashasvi Jaiswal: Capable of giving explosive starts.
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Riyan Parag: Leading from the front as captain and middle-order batter.
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Jofra Archer: Still a threat with the new ball.
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Wanindu Hasaranga: Crucial in the middle overs with the ball.
Probable Playing XI
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Vaibhav Suryavanshi
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Riyan Parag (c)
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Kunal Singh Rathore
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Dhruv Jurel (wk)
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Lhuan-dre Pretorius
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Wanindu Hasaranga
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Jofra Archer
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Maheesh Theekshana
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Yudhvir Singh Charak
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Akash Madhwal
Impact Player: Shubham Dubey / Kumar Kartikeya
Punjab Kings – Team Overview
PBKS, on the other hand, are in a strong position at third place with 7 wins, 3 losses, and 1 No Result. Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Kings are aiming for a top-four finish and possibly even a top-two spot if results go in their favour. A win against RR would go a long way in solidifying their playoff chances.
PBKS will also be motivated by their earlier loss to the Royals and would look to settle the score in this reverse fixture.
Key Players
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Shreyas Iyer: Anchoring the middle order and leading with confidence.
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Arshdeep Singh: A consistent performer in the death overs.
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Yuzvendra Chahal: Experienced spinner who can control the middle overs.
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Marco Jansen: Provides all-round balance to the side.
Probable Playing XI
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Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
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Priyansh Arya
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Mitchell Owen
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Shreyas Iyer (c)
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Nehal Wadhera
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Shashank Singh
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Amatullah Omarzai
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Suryansh Shedge
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Marco Jansen
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Musheer Khan / Harpreet Brar
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches Played: 29
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RR Wins: 17
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PBKS Wins: 12
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No Result: 0
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First Meeting: April 21, 2008 – RR won
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Last Meeting: April 5, 2025 – RR won
The Royals have historically had the upper hand, but with the playoffs at stake, Punjab will be keen to rewrite the recent narrative.
Match Scenarios
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If Punjab Kings win: They strengthen their playoff position and possibly move closer to the top two.
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If Rajasthan Royals win: They could rise from the bottom and damage PBKS’s playoff push.
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Toss likely to play a crucial role: Teams chasing at Jaipur have enjoyed more success this season.
Match Prediction
Punjab Kings come into this match as clear favourites. Their balance, current form, and motivation to qualify give them the edge over an inconsistent Royals outfit. However, Rajasthan has shown they can pull off upsets and would love to do so on their home ground.
Prediction: Punjab Kings to win, but expect a competitive, high-scoring contest in Jaipur.