Royals vs Kings turned out to be one of the most nail-biting encounters of IPL 2025 so far, as Rajasthan Royals edged past Punjab Kings in a dramatic last-over finish at the Mullanpur Stadium on April 5. The match had everything—explosive batting, timely wickets, and pressure-packed drama that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, Rajasthan Royals got off to a solid start with Trent Boult dismissing Shikhar Dhawan early. But Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone rebuilt the innings for Punjab, with Bairstow smashing a quickfire 64 off 36 balls. Livingstone added 45 runs with his trademark flair, sending bowlers to all corners of the ground.
Punjab Kings looked set to post a total beyond 200, but a flurry of wickets in the death overs—thanks to Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal—restricted them to 187/8 in 20 overs. The total was competitive but chaseable on a batting-friendly surface.
In response, Rajasthan Royals had a cautious start. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell cheaply, but Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag put together a crucial 85-run stand. Buttler, who has been in red-hot form this season, scored 59 off 38 balls, anchoring the chase. However, Punjab struck back with quick wickets, dismissing both set batters just when the Royals seemed to be cruising.
The momentum shifted several times during the chase. Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel kept the scoreboard ticking, but tight overs from Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh meant Rajasthan needed 14 runs from the final over.
Enter Rovman Powell.
With nerves of steel, Powell smashed the first ball of the final over for six, followed by a four and a double. He sealed the win with a single off the fifth delivery, finishing unbeaten on 23 off just 10 balls. The Rajasthan dugout erupted in celebration as they clinched the Royals vs Kings thriller by four wickets.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson lauded his team’s composure. “This was one of those games where we had to fight till the end. I’m proud of the boys for showing character and holding their nerve,” Samson said.
Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan, while disappointed, praised his team’s efforts. “We were 20 runs short in the end, but the bowlers tried their best. Still a lot of positives to take,” he remarked.
The result saw Rajasthan Royals climb to the second spot on the IPL 2025 points table, while Punjab Kings slipped to sixth. As the tournament intensifies, the Royals vs Kings clash will be remembered as one of the season’s most electrifying contests.
Leave a Reply