Match Context and Pitch Conditions
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
- Pitch: A bowler-friendly surface where totals of 180-190 are competitive when batting first. Only two 200-plus totals have been recorded in 28 T20s since October 2022, and spinners had the lowest economy rate (7.08) among IPL 2024 venues. Pace bowlers can exploit early movement, but spin dominates as the game progresses.
- Weather: Clear skies expected, with temperatures around 19-37°C and no rain interruptions.
Team Form and Key Insights
- Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- Unbeaten in IPL 2025 with two wins, showcasing a balanced squad under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership. The top order (Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya) has been solid, while Shashank Singh’s death-over strike rate (232.46 since 2024) adds firepower.
- Bowling has been effective in patches, with Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal leading the attack. Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen provide all-round depth.
- Home record at Mullanpur is poor (1 win in 5 games in 2024), but this new-look team is defying past trends.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Recovered from two losses with a win over CSK, but batting remains inconsistent. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s struggles against short balls (7 dismissals since 2024) and a lack of overseas batting depth are concerns.
- Bowling is finding its feet, with Wanindu Hasaranga (leading T20 wicket-taker since 2024 with 94 wickets) and Jofra Archer regaining form. Nitish Rana (in-form) and Dhruv Jurel bolster the middle order.
- Historically dominant vs. PBKS (16-12 H2H, 6-3 since 2020).
Fantasy Cricket Picks
Must-Have Players
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – Batsman (9 credits)
- In scintillating form with two unbeaten fifties (97* and 52*) in two games, striking at a high rate with 13 sixes. As captain, he’s a safe anchor at No. 3.
- Match-up: Sandeep Sharma has dismissed him thrice, but Iyer’s current form trumps this risk.
- Sanju Samson (RR) – Wicketkeeper/Batsman (9 credits)
- Back as captain and keeper, Samson has 108 runs in three games (including a 66 vs. SRH). His dual role boosts points potential on a spin-friendly track.
- Match-up: Chahal has dismissed him 5 times in 10 innings, but Samson’s intent could counter this.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (RR) – All-Rounder (8.5 credits)
- Leading T20 wicket-taker since 2024 (94 wickets), with 5 wickets in 2 IPL 2025 games. Offers batting upside in the lower order.
- Pitch Factor: Spinners thrive at Mullanpur (economy 7.08 in 2024).
- Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – Bowler (9 credits)
- Expensive so far, but his record against RR (27 wickets in 2022) and match-ups vs. Samson (5 dismissals) and Rana (6 dismissals) make him a must-pick on this pitch.
- Tactics: Likely to bowl early to exploit RR’s top order.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – Bowler (8.5 credits)
- 5 wickets in two games with an economy below 10. His new-ball swing could trouble Jaiswal (vulnerable to short balls).
- Form: PBKS’s go-to bowler in key moments.
Differential Picks
- Nitish Rana (RR) – Batsman (8 credits)
- In-form with 100 runs in three games (strike rate 188.67), including an 81 vs. CSK. A middle-order stabilizer who could exploit PBKS’s spinners.
- Differential: Lower ownership than Jaiswal or Samson.
- Marcus Stoinis (PBKS) – All-Rounder (8.5 credits)
- Yet to fire with the bat (20 runs), but has 2 wickets. Dismissed Jaiswal thrice in four innings, making him a tactical pick.
- Pitch Factor: All-rounders thrive at Mullanpur.
- Jofra Archer (RR) – Bowler (9 credits)
- Bouncing back after early struggles, his pace could unsettle PBKS’s top order (e.g., Iyer). A differential on a pitch offering early movement.
- Stats: Nearing 50 IPL wickets for RR.
Captain/Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer – Consistent runs, high strike rate, and captaincy bonus.
- Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga – Wicket-taking threat with batting potential on a spin-friendly track.
Avoid
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): Struggling (32 balls faced in 2025) and vulnerable to Arshdeep’s short balls.
- Glenn Maxwell (PBKS): Yet to score runs, and Hasaranga could stifle him (match-up risk).
Suggested Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson
- Batsmen: Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Shashank Singh
- All-Rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (VC), Marcus Stoinis
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Marco Jansen
- Credits Left: Adjust based on platform (typically 0.5-1 credit).
Strategy Notes
- PBKS’s Home Advantage: Despite past struggles at Mullanpur, their current form (2 wins) and Iyer’s leadership tilt the scales. Target RR’s shaky top order with Arshdeep and Chahal.
- RR’s Spin Edge: Hasaranga and Theekshana could dominate PBKS’s middle order. Back them heavily on this pitch.
- Impact Player Flexibility: PBKS might use Nehal Wadhera (batting) or Harpreet Brar (spin), while RR could opt for Kumar Kartikeya (spin) or Shubham Dubey (batting). Adjust based on toss.
Prediction
PBKS’s unbeaten run and top-order form give them a slight edge, but RR’s spin duo and improving bowling could make it close. For fantasy, prioritize PBKS batsmen (Iyer, Shashank) and RR bowlers (Hasaranga, Archer) to balance risk and reward. A score of 180+ batting first could be defendable.