IPL 2025: PBKS Playing XI vs RR- Match 18

The 2014 runners-up of IPL, Punjab Kings (PBKS), have made a rollicking start to IPL 2025 with two consecutive victories against the Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants.

Punjab nailed 243/5 in their allotted 20 overs during the opening fixture against the Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s fantastic knock of 97 runs in 42 balls. They were behind in the defense before Vijaykumar Vyshak bowled a couple of excellent overs to pull the game in their favor.

PBKS continued the winning momentum in their second fixture against the Lucknow side. Thanks to a superb bowling performance at the Ekhana Stadium, they restricted them to 171/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Prabhsimran Singh’s 69 runs in 34 balls killed the chase before Iyer stayed unbeaten on 52 runs in 30 balls.

IPL 2025: PBKS Playing XI vs RR- Match 18

Openers- Prabhsimran Singh (wk), & Priyansh Arya

Priyansh Arya, during PBKS’ opening game of the season against the Titans, nailed 47 runs in 23 balls, thanks to seven boundaries and a couple of sixes at a strike rate of 204.35. He went hard after Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj despite them losing Prabhsimran early in the innings.

However, in the next game, in Lucknow, when Arya failed, it was Prabhsimran who stood out with a satisfactory performance. He nailed 69 runs in just 34 balls, shouldering on nine boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of over 200 to chase the runs down and take them over the line with eight wickets in hand.

If both of them fire in the PBKS vs RR game, it will only benefit the Royals.

Also Read: IPL 2025: RR Playing XI vs PBKS- Match 18

Middle order- Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suyansh Shedge

Shreyas Iyer, in the first game of the IPL 2025, was under pressure to continue his purple patch from the last season. He began with a first-ball boundary against Rabada and finished with figures of 97 undefeated runs in 42 balls at a strike rate of 230.95, thanks to five boundaries and nine sixes.

Nehal Wadhera, coming at four against Lucknow, nailed 43 runs in just 25 balls at a strike rate of 172 to carry them over the line. PBKS didn’t need their other batters to contribute in the fixture. After the poor performance in the opening encounter, both Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell will be tempted to do well.

Shashank Singh nailed 44 runs in just 16 balls with six boundaries and two sixes in the very first game for Punjab at a strike rate of 275. He can be vital if they bat first and aim for a huge score on the board.

Bowlers- Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh

In a superb bowling performance for PBKS in Lucknow, Arshdeep picked up a couple of early wickets in the powerplay and ended with 3/43 in four overs. Glenn Maxwell sent back Rishabh Pant to end with 1/22 in three overs.

Chahal went for a few runs but bagged the most vital wicket of Nicholas Pooran in the clash to change the game’s movement. Jansen was phenomenal with his death overs bowling with 1/28 in four overs and may look to continue against the inaugural champions.

PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs RR- IPL 2025, Match 18

Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suyansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact Subs: Arshdeep Singh

Also Read: PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Dream11 Team Today- IPL 2025, Match 18