New Delhi: In a high-octane clash at the IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals delivered a dominant performance to defeat Punjab Kings by a comprehensive margin of 50 runs. With this win, Rajasthan secured their second consecutive victory, while Punjab’s hopes of a third straight triumph were dashed.
Batting Brilliance Sets the Tone
Opting to bat first, Rajasthan Royals posted an imposing total of 205 runs on the board. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played a stellar knock, scoring 67 runs, while Riyan Parag added valuable runs with a quickfire 43-run inning. Their aggressive approach put Punjab’s bowlers on the backfoot right from the start.
Punjab’s Top Order Collapses Under Pressure
Chasing a challenging target of 206, Punjab Kings got off to a disastrous start. Speedster Jofra Archer made an immediate impact, dismissing debutant Priyansh Arya on the very first ball. Archer struck again in the same over, cleaning up Shreyas Iyer, who had begun confidently.
The situation worsened as Prabhsimran Singh fell for 17 and Marcus Stoinis managed just a solitary run. At one stage, Punjab found themselves reeling at 43 for 4, with their top order dismantled by the Rajasthan pace battery.
Middle Order Resistance, But Not Enough
Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell tried to stabilize the innings with a 78-run partnership, offering a glimmer of hope for the Punjab camp. Wadhera played a composed knock of 62, while Maxwell chipped in with 30. However, both fell in quick succession, extinguishing any remaining hopes of a comeback.
Eventually, Punjab’s innings came to a close at 155 for 9, falling well short of the target as Rajasthan’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold throughout.
Streaks Broken and Extended
Before this match, Punjab Kings were riding high on back-to-back wins—against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. A third win would have marked a hat-trick of victories for them. However, Rajasthan’s clinical performance ended that streak. Meanwhile, the Royals extended their own winning run to two matches in a row.