IPL 2025: Fans go wild as Preity Zinta’s Punjab Kings edge out Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring thriller

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In a pulsating clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Punjab Kings held their nerve to secure a crucial 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Match 59 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Batting first, PBKS posted a daunting total of 219/5, led by explosive knocks from Nehal Wadhera (70 off 37) and Shashank Singh (59 not out off 30). Despite an electric start from the Royals, who raced to 76 inside five overs, Harpreet Brar‘s crafty spell of 3/22 and clutch death bowling from Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen helped Punjab seal the match. This win catapults PBKS to 17 points, just behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on the points table, tightening their grip on a playoff berth.

Punjab made full use of a good batting track, despite early hiccups. Prabhsimran Singh’s fiery 21 off 10 gave PBKS a brisk start, but they stumbled to 34/3 in just 3.1 overs. Wadhera then anchored the innings brilliantly, smashing 70 off just 37 balls with five sixes and as many fours. Captain Shreyas Iyer added 30 before being dismissed, but it was Shashank Singh who provided the late fireworks. His unbeaten 59 off 30 balls, including a flurry of boundaries in the death overs, lifted the Kings past the 200-run mark. Omarzai’s quick 21 not out off 9 ensured a strong finish as RR’s bowlers, especially Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akash Madhwal struggled to contain the flow of runs.

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Rajasthan came out swinging in their chase of 220, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 25) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15) powering them to 76 in under five overs. However, Brar’s left-arm spin turned the game as he removed both openers and Parag, finishing with 3/22. Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer fell at crucial junctures, leaving too much to do for the lower order. Dhruv Jurel waged a lone battle with a brilliant 53 off 31, even bringing the equation down to 20 needed off the final over. But Omarzai’s calm bowling at the death, backed by Jansen’s two key strikes, ensured PBKS crossed the line in a nail-biting finish. With this win, Punjab not only climb to second but also boost their NRR, staying in strong contention for a top-two finish.

11 Sal Ka intezar khatam hone hi wala hai. Well done @PunjabKingsIPL @ShreyasIyer15

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 18, 2025

RCB and Punjab Kings at top of the table! If it were to be a Qualifier between these two, it'd be one heck of a game with so much riding on it. A first title potentially awaits.

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) May 18, 2025

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐲𝐚! 😌

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 18, 2025

🚨 17 POINTS FOR PUNJAB KINGS IN IPL 2025 🚨

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 18, 2025

The number of chases RR have bottled this season after looking pretty good most part of the innings…

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 18, 2025

RR could be batting at 15 runs per over at 10 over mark and still manage to lose the game for no reason at all. All for the love of the game.

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) May 18, 2025

If Rahul Dravid keeps his job after this season, then RR isn’t serious about the IPL.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) May 18, 2025

Not the time for it but Shimron for Buttler has cost RR lot more than just games.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 18, 2025

Another day in the office for Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals!

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 18, 2025

🔥 Punjab Kings edge out Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring thriller! 👏👏

A sensational contest at Jaipur ends in Punjab's favour as they hold their nerve to seal the win.

With this victory, Punjab Kings move to 17 points and now sit 2nd on the points table, just behind…

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 18, 2025

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