The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) encounter, the 18th match of IPL 2025 promises to be a high-stakes encounter between two teams with contrasting trajectories this season.,

PBKS, under the leadership of its new skipper Shreyas Iyer, have been in scintillating form, winning both its matches so far. Its recent eight-wicket victory over Lucknow SuperGiants showcased its batting power, with Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer leading the charge. PBKS will aim to maintain its unbeaten streak and solidify its position at the top of the points table. Its bowling attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been effective in restricting opponents.

RR, on the other hand, has had a tough season with one win and two losses. Its narrow six-run victory over Chennai Super Kings highlighted its resilience, but inconsistency in batting remains a concern. Sanju Samson returns as captain after recovering from a finger injury, which could provide much-needed stability. 

Inconsistent performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel have also put additional pressure on their middle order. Its bowling attack, while solid, will need to step up against PBKS's power-packed lineup. Overseas players Shimron Hetmyer, known for his finishing abilities, and pacer Jofra Archer have had an indifferent tournament so far. They too would want to change that tonight.

PBKS and RR have faced each other 28 times in IPL history. RR leads the head-to-head record with 16 wins, while PBKS has won 12 matches. However, PBKS's current form gives them an edge going into this encounter, which will happen at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

The pitch has, so far, offered balanced conditions for both batters and bowlers. Fast bowlers can extract swing early on, while spinners are likely to come into play as the match progresses. Teams batting first often post high scores, but no total is considered safe due to the pitch's true nature.

With PBKS riding high on momentum and RR looking to find consistency, there is plenty of hope for riveting action tonight. 

Probable teams:

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma.