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Rajasthan Royals (RR) handed Punjab Kings their first defeat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. PBKS went down to RR by 50 runs at Mullanpur on Saturday, April 5.
PBKS suffer first defeat in IPL 2025
After being asked to bat first, RR posted a formidable total of 205 runs for the loss of four wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal finally got his mojo back, smashing a well-paced 67 runs off 45 balls riding on three boundaries and five towering sixes. Impressively, all six of the RR' batters reached double figures. Riyan Parag provided a crucial late surge with an unbeaten 43 runs off just 25 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. Earlier in the innings, captain Sanju Samson contributed a steady 36 runs off 26 balls and formed a strong 89-run opening partnership with Jaiswal, laying a solid foundation for their team's imposing score.
While RR' batters were in fine form, Lockie Ferguson managed to pick up a couple of wickets for the Punjab Kings. However, the other PBKS bowlers found it challenging to effectively contain the flow of runs from the RR batters.
Chasing the imposing target, PBKS got off to a disastrous start, losing two crucial wickets in the very first over bowled by Jofra Archer, including a wicket on the opening ball of the innings.
Captain Shreyas Iyer showed promise during his brief stay at the crease but was unfortunately dismissed off the final ball of that same over. The innings never truly recovered, as the hosts found themselves struggling at 42 runs for the loss of four wickets by the end of the seventh over.
Despite the setbacks, Nehal Wadhera put up a valiant solo effort, scoring a fighting 62 runs off 41 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes. Glenn Maxwell also contributed a handy 30 runs off 21 balls.
Ultimately, RR' bowling attack proved too strong for the Punjab Kings. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with an impressive three wickets, while Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana each chipped in with two wickets. As a result, RR successfully restricted PBKS to a total of 155 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their full 20 overs.
Meanwhile, the losing captain Shreyas Iyer admitted he was thinking that PBKS would be conceding around 180-185-run total but that didn't happen. He also rued conceding 15 extra runs which only helped RR post a daunting target.
"I thought that we would be conceding around 180-185 - that would have been a great total to chase. We gave away a few extra runs, were not able to execute according to our plans. Glad that it (the defeat) happened at the start of the season. It was a decent pitch to bat on, it was holding a bit. Were trying to hit the deck and not give them much pace. We could have built a few partnerships and taken it a little slow, rather than over-attacking. Many things to learn from this game. Today there was no dew. We cannot be blaming that. we need to go back to the drawing board and see the videos of where we were not able to execute with the bowling. In the batting, we could be focusing on building partnerships. We also lost back-to-back wickets. It is not easy for a new batter to get going. (On Nehal Wadhera) Phenomenal batting under pressure. He took some time, he was able to analyze and was able to charge on the loose balls. This is just the third match, you need a slight hiccup at the start to wake you up and glad that it happened right now. We need to go back to the drawing board and come back strong next game," Shreyas said in the post-match presentation.
PBKS will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 8 at the same venue while RR will travel to Ahmedabad to take on Gujarat Titans on April 9.
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