Ferguson finds the fence, and that should be the end of the game. Or is it?! Yorker just outside off. Ferguson gives himself room and carves it past backward point. Everyone is happy to indulge in the post-game handshakes, but the umpires want to check if RR had enough fielders inside the ring. The check is still ongoing, and we wait...Samson has sat down on the turf because of how long this is taking, and pretty sure he might not be the only one (including those watching at home) to be feeling that way. Samson gets up finally and we have reached a conclusion. And no, this is not a drill. The Rajasthan Royals have rocked up in Mullanpur and they have taken down the Punjab Kings and their previously-unbeaten record! And do not let those final shenanigans take away from what has been a thoroughly professional performance by the visitors!
RR vs PBKS, 18th Match at Mohali, IPL, Apr 05 2025 - Match Result
11:41pm That brings us to the end of our coverage on this double-header Saturday. Just the one game in store tomorrow, but it is a big one, with the Sunrisers Hyderabad returning home to host the Gujarat Titans, currently on a two-match winning streak. Do join us for that game too, and until then, this is goodbye from all of us here at ESPNcricinfo!
Jofra Archer, Player of the Match: Beginning of the tournament, games like that happen. Most importantly, happy to contribute to the team (now). When there are days like this, you got to make sure you cash in. Enjoy the good ones, take the bad ones (in your stride). You got to understand that you will be lucky in some circumstances; in others, the batters might because everyone is working just as hard (to be better). Everyday is not going to be a great day, but on the good days, you have to enjoy because the bad day could be around the corner.
Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals captain: The way we started in the powerplay, I felt we were running a bit short. But with the quality of batsmanship we had, and because we were struggling, thought they will also. It was a good score. Young batting line-up, but they have played a lot of games as well, and they can assess the conditions really well. Felt we were managing and playing the game really well. (On Archer and Sandeep) That is a very deadly combo - one guy bowling around 150 and another bowling around 115. (On being told that Sandeep clocked 130kph tonight) I think we should cut a cake on that maybe (smiles). I can trust them with pressure overs. We all love it when he (Archer) bowls those quick overs. Sandy has been doing it for me for the past few overs. He is one of the best guys in India (bowling in the powerplay and at the death). We had a small meeting in the time-out where I suggested that they have a quality line-up. Have played enough games to know that you cannot guarantee a win. We focused on the processes, the result took care of itself. We took some time to understand to the right batting order, the right entry points. We have found good rhythm, good patterns and need to take good care of the boys.
Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings captain: I thought that we would be conceding around 180-185 - that would have been a great total to chase. We gave away a few extra runs, were not able to execute according to our plans. Glad that it (the defeat) happened at the start of the season. It was a decent pitch to bat on, it was holding a bit. Were trying to hit the deck and not give them much pace. We could have built a few partnerships and taken it a little slow, rather than over-attacking. Many things to learn from this game. Today there was no dew. We cannot be blaming that. we need to go back to the drawing board and see the videos of where we were not able to execute with the bowling. In the batting, we could be focusing on building partnerships. We also lost back-to-back wickets. It is not easy for a new batter to get going. (On Nehal Wadhera) Phenomenal batting under pressure. He took some time, he was able to analyze and was able to charge on the loose balls. This is just the third match, you need a slight hiccup at the start to wake you up and glad that it happened right now. We need to go back to the drawing board and come back strong next game.
Riyan Parag: (On his innings) That was the plan - getting runs in the powerplay was key, Jaiswal was excellent. It was sticking on the practice wickets. My plan was to take it easy till the 15-16th over and then take it on. Could not do it to the best of my abilities but that was the plan. He (Samson) has been a leader for a lot of years now. Even when he was not the captain, he was the leader figure. Having him back is a great plus. If he needs anything from us, he is always there and that is a great combination for us. Today, it was (a plan to have left-right batting combination throughout), it was not (a plan) in the earlier games. (On why there was a delay after the last ball) I saw Lockie, and I wanted to come up to mid on. Just a few seconds here and there (in getting inside the ring) but we can probably confirm with the replay.
11:16pm And...that will be that. Finally. It was a bit of an anti-climax at the end, with all the waiting around. But prior to that, RR were just exceptional. They stuck to their guns, planned well and executed even better to stifle a powerplay PBKS batting unit. Archer led the way at the top, removing Arya and captain Shreyas in the first over. The rest then followed it up with tidy bowling displays throughout. Sandeep and Theekshana, bowling through different phases, were just as impressive as Archer.
A first jolt of the season for the Kings, meanwhile. They never really got going at the start and it was only when Maxwell and Wadhera were together that they harboured hopes of a stunning turnaround. Both fell off successive balls, though, and that hammered the final few nails into their coffin.
Ferguson to face the last ball
straight to extra cover, and Archer has another! Very full on leg stump. Arshdeep backs away, trying to go inside out. Cannot get under it enough, though, and does not keep it down either. Chips it straight to Hasaranga, who snaffles up a sharp low chance!
full ball on the pads. Shashank gets inside the line and is happy to just work it towards deep backward square leg for a single
The physio is out to perform the mandatory concussion check
sharp bumper on middle and off that arrives onto Shashank a lot quicker than he expects. Tries to help it away but gets tagged on the body. Might have ricocheted onto the grille as well
slower ball on a back of a length outside off. Shashank has an ungainly swipe across the line and only swats away a few flies in the process
on a length on middle and off. Shashank knocks it towards long on but gets sent back, when trying to take a single or even try the second. Arshdeep did not move a muscle at the other end
56 more needed for PBKS. Six legal balls and RR will be home. PBKS will try to reduce to margin of defeat as much as possible for NRR purposes. Archer to bowl. Fitting that he will close out a game that he set up with his brilliant opening over
off-pace on a length on leg stump. Arshdeep has a wild slog at it and jams it off the inside edge into his back leg
Sandeep has bowled very full and has not allowed the batters to get under the ball. Superb planning and execution
low full toss just outside off. Shashank rolls his wrists and whisks it towards deep square leg
back of a length wide outside off. Shashank takes a step across and then swishes at it with all his might. Only grabs a handful of fresh air
into the blockhole on the pads. Shashank works it away towards deep backward square leg and bags a brace
into the blockhole on middle and off. Arshdeep jams down on it and squeezes it out to deep backward square leg
full and angling into leg stump. Shashank helicopters it on the bounce to long on
Sandeep to bowl the 19th. 61 needed off 12
length just outside off. Arshdeep plants his front foot and powers it on the bounce to long on
Theekshana appeals and appeals and appeals, but the umpire says no! Samson reviews promptly! Back of a length, pitching on middle stump and zipping through with the angle. Arshdeep, having taken a step across, plays all around it to get pinned on the front pad. Might have been going past off stump with the angle but let's see what the replays have in store for us. No bat involved, and Ball Tracking reckons the ball would have missed off stump, with the impact also Umpire's Call. RR out of reviews!
Arshdeep to try his luck now. 61 needed off 14
you cannot escape Hetmyer on the fence - not tonight! Very full just outside off. Jansen, sitting deep in his crease, tries to use his wrists to shovel it over deep mid wicket. Gets good power on it but not enough elevation. Hetmyer slaloms around to his left and pouches it, while also ensuring he does not roll onto the boundary cushion. PBKS on the brink now!
well well! Theekshana rattles this one in, full outside off. Jansen shapes for the reverse but does not make any contact at all
fullish outside off. Shashank plants his front foot and chips it over extra cover. There is a sweeper on the deep cover fence for exactly this stroke, though
fuller and wider outside off. Samson cannot gather either and Shashank smuggles in another run. Two bonus runs for the Kings, although that may not matter much in the grander scheme of things
carrom ball on a back of a length outside off. Jansen swings for the hills and misses the ball by a fair margin. Did not read that at all
64 off 18. Theekshana to bowl out
brilliant yorker, honing into the toes. Jansen digs it out towards deep mid wicket and has to be content with a single
65 off 19. This game slipping away from the Kings rather quickly (assuming it hasn't already)
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W |
| Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur | |
| Toss | Punjab Kings, elected to field first |
| Series | |
| Season | 2025 |
| Player Of The Match | |
| Hours of play (local time) | 19.30 start, First Session 19.30-21.00, Interval 21.00-21.20, Second Session 21.20-22.50 |
| Match days | 05 April 2025 - night (20-over match) |
| RR Player Replacement | Impact player: in, out (2nd innings, 3.3 ov) |
| PBKS Player Replacement | Impact player: in, out (1st innings, 17.6 ov) |
| Umpires | |
| TV Umpire | |
| Reserve Umpire | |
| Match Referee | |
| Points | Rajasthan Royals 2, Punjab Kings 0 |
Over 20 • PBKS 155/9
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