RR vs PBKS Playing 11, IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Predicted Lineups, Team News

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RR vs PBKS: Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, May 18. With a playoff spot within reach, the away side will be eager to end their long wait for a top-four finish, having last qualified in 2014.

Led by Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have emerged as one of the most balanced teams this season, thanks to a solid combination of firepower in their batting and depth in their bowling.

Although a few Australian players will be unavailable for the match, PBKS still boast a well-rounded playing XI. Their opening pair has consistently provided strong starts, while Iyer himself has been in exceptional touch with the bat, leading from the front.

Their opponents, Rajasthan Royals, have already bowed out of the playoff race and will be playing for pride as they aim to close out the season on a high. With Jofra Archer sidelined due to injury, RR's bowling attack could be under pressure against the aggressive Punjab batting order.

RR vs PBKS Team News, Injury Update

Jofra Archer has opted out of participating in the final two matches of the season for Rajasthan Royals, with no replacement announced yet. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson is expected to make a comeback following his recovery from injury.

On the other hand, Punjab Kings will be without Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, and Josh Inglis, as the trio has not rejoined the squad and will miss the upcoming game. Mitch Owen and Xavier Bartlett have linked up with the team, while Kyle Jamieson has been brought in to replace the injured Lockie Ferguson.

RR vs PBKS Key Players

Arshdeep Singh and Khaleel Ahmed currently share the top spot for the most wickets taken in the first three overs of an innings this IPL season, with seven each. However, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has enjoyed success against Arshdeep in the past, boasting a striking rate of 188.09 while being dismissed by him just once in the tournament's history.

Despite Samson's individual dominance, Rajasthan Royals have struggled with their fast bowling unit in IPL 2025. They have the poorest bowling average among pace attacks and are the second-most expensive team in terms of economy rate, trailing only Lucknow Super Giants. These figures would look even worse if Jofra Archer's performances were excluded.

Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have been aggressive during the PowerPlay, scoring at 10.25 runs per over-second only to Rajasthan themselves. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya will aim to capitalize on RR's pace woes and set the tone early in the upcoming contest.

RR vs PBKS Playing 11: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Predicted Lineups

Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Mitch Owen, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Xavier Bartlett.