Rajasthan Royals Defeat Punjab Kings by 50 Runs in IPL 2025: Jofra Archer Stars with Three Wickets
Rajasthan Royals registered a dominant 50-run victory over Punjab Kings in Match 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. A strong all-round performance from Rajasthan, led by Jofra Archer’s impressive bowling display, helped the team maintain their winning momentum in the season.
Rajasthan Royals Post a Challenging Total
Asked to bat first, Rajasthan Royals set a daunting total of 205/4 in their allotted 20 overs, marking the first 200+ score at the venue. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag laid the foundation with an 89-run opening partnership. Jaiswal was in superb form, raising his 10th IPL half-century (67 runs off 40 balls) with a series of powerful boundaries, including a six off Yuzvendra Chahal and a further onslaught on Marcus Stoinis. His innings came to an end when Lockie Ferguson bowled him out.
Sanju Samson, Rajasthan’s captain, contributed 38 runs, stabilizing the innings. Parag, who had been struggling early in the season, played a significant knock of 43* runs, adding crucial boundaries and sixes to take the Royals past the 200-run mark. His explosive finish in the final over, along with Dhruv Jurel’s 19 runs, pushed Rajasthan to 205/4.
Punjab Kings’ Struggle in the Chase
Chasing 206, Punjab Kings got off to a disastrous start as Jofra Archer delivered a brilliant opening spell, dismissing Priyansh Arya (0) and Shreyas Iyer (10) in the first over. Sandeep Sharma then joined the attack, removing Marcus Stoinis (1) to leave Punjab reeling at 13/3.
Nehal Wadhera (62) and Glenn Maxwell (30) brought some stability with an 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Wadhera, who had a stroke of luck after being dropped early in his innings, played a counter-attacking knock, reaching his half-century with a clean strike off Wanindu Hasaranga. However, just when it seemed that the pair might turn the game around, disaster struck. Maxwell was caught by Jaiswal off Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling on the last ball of the 15th over, and Wadhera followed soon after, dismissed by Hasaranga.
The Rajasthan bowlers, led by Archer (3-25), Sandeep Sharma (2-21), and Theekshana (2-26), cleaned up the lower order swiftly, securing Punjab Kings’ first defeat of the season. Punjab could only manage 155/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 50 runs.
Key Performances:
- Rajasthan Royals:
Yashasvi Jaiswal – 67 (40 balls)
Riyan Parag – 43* (30 balls)
Sanju Samson – 38 (28 balls)
Jofra Archer – 3/25
Sandeep Sharma – 2/21
Maheesh Theekshana – 2/26 - Punjab Kings:
Nehal Wadhera – 62 (42 balls)
Glenn Maxwell – 30 (24 balls)
Lockie Ferguson – 2/37
Arshdeep Singh – 1/35
Rajasthan Royals’ comprehensive performance showcased their dominance, both with the bat and ball, as they handed Punjab Kings their first loss of the season. The victory also underscores Rajasthan’s growing strength in IPL 2025.
