PBKS vs RR Match preview & betting tips – IPL 2025, Match 18

PBKS v RR best bets

Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match preview

Two teams with very different starts to IPL 2025 go head-to-head on Saturday night as the unbeaten Punjab Kings (PBKS) host a struggling Rajasthan Royals (RR) outfit in Mullanpur.

Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS have been the early-season surprise package, sitting top of the table with two wins from two and looking the most balanced and confident they’ve been in years. Wins over Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants have come thanks to explosive batting, clever captaincy, and a bowling unit that’s done just enough.

Iyer himself has been a standout – calm under pressure and leading from the front with the bat. Back-to-back unbeaten fifties have already made him one of the most valuable batters in the tournament so far.

For Rajasthan, it’s been anything but smooth. After a run of losses to Hyderabad and Kolkata, they finally broke their duck with a scrappy six-run win over Chennai. Sanju Samson is back at the helm after Riyan Parag’s stint as captain, and that leadership change might help stabilise things.

However, RR’s problems run deeper. Their bowling has lacked bite, with nobody consistently taking wickets or containing runs. Batting has been patchy too, with Jaiswal and Hetmyer yet to find rhythm and only Dhruv Jurel showing any real consistency.

This game will be the first at home for PBKS this season, and with a raucous crowd behind them in Mullanpur, they’ll be looking to keep the momentum going. The surface here generally favours batters with short boundaries and true bounce – expect a high-scoring affair under lights.

Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals predictions

The Punjab skipper, Shreyas Iyer, is in red-hot form with scores of 97* and 52* in his first two games. He looks comfortable in his new role and is anchoring the innings beautifully. Back him to continue his golden run with another solid knock, with +200 on offer with BetOnline to bring up a half-century.

With the likes of Iyer, Maxwell, Prabhsimran, Samson, Hetmyer, and Parag on display, this fixture promises fireworks. Both teams love to go aerial, and the Mullanpur pitch is tailor-made for big hitting. With all that fire power, back in the overs to salute in terms of total match sixes.

Arshdeep Singh has quietly been Punjab’s bowling ace. He’s already taken five wickets in two matches and has a great record against Rajasthan. Expect him to strike early, especially if the Royals continue to struggle at the top. The +245 with cricket betting sites for him to top the wicket count for PBKS is a great price.

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