PBKS move to brink of qualification by beating RR as IPL returns

The victory moved the Kings up to second in the league table, a fraction behind Royal Challengers Bangalore on net run rate, with a four-point cushion over fifth place.

Batting first and scoring 219-5, Punjab were always in the box seat, though Rajasthan made a decent fist of their chase and were still hanging on when requiring 22 off the final over of the match.

South Africa international Marco Jansen did the business with the ball, though, condemning the Royals to a 10th defeat of the season.

After yesterday's clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders was rained off, this match was the first of the competition since a brief suspension was lifted.

Punjab made an uncertain start with the bat, Royals bowler Tushar Deshpande taking two wickets in his first seven deliveries to reduce them to 34-3.

Nehal Wadhera top-scored with 70 to lead the recovery, though, and Shashank Singh smashed 59 off 30 deliveries to inspire a hefty total, of which 60 came from the final four overs.

Rajasthan got their chase off to a rapid start, with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi hitting 40 off 15 deliveries in an opening stand of 76 from 29 deliveries with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

But Impact Player Harbreet Brar's three wickets swung the game Punjab's way and the Royals were always playing catch-up.

Dhuv Jurel offered some resistance with 53 from 31 deliveries but was dismissed during Jansen's final over, extinguishing his side's faint hopes.

They ended up falling 10 short to extend a miserable campaign, with table-toppers Punjab going from strength to strength.

𝘽𝙄𝙂 𝙒𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙏Marco Jansen with the decisive blow to #RRDhruv Jurel fought well with 53(31)Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/HTpvGew6ef #TATAIPL | #RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/Ob6XIBtX5j

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2025

By scoring 219 in the first innings, Punjab Kings equalled an IPL record for the most 200-plus totals in one campaign (six).

This effort was made all the more impressive by the fact that they were three wickets down after just 3.1 overs, before Wadhera took charge.

The 24-year-old struck 10 boundaries, including five sixes, to get his side out of the mire, ending on 70 from 37 deliveries.