नवीनतम
Comeback capts collide in super IPL clash
CHANDIGARH [Maha Media]: The IPL 2025 season has already thrown up thrilling contests, but none more intriguing than the upcoming showdown between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
At the heart of this encounter lies an electrifying subplot - Shreyas Iyer vs Sanju Samson, two comeback captains with a point to prove.
Both leaders have endured their share of setbacks but are back in the limelight, determined to guide their teams to IPL glory. Iyer has hit the ground running with two unbeaten half-centuries (97* & 52*), leading PBKS to a flawless start with two wins in two matches.
Samson, on the other hand, has been Rajasthan's standout performer with 108 runs in three games, but his team has struggled for consistency. Adding spice to the contest, Samson has dominated PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh in past encounters.
As both captains push for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad, this clash is about more than just IPL points, it’s about staking a claim on the big stage.
Punjab have been in scintillating form, setting the tournament ablaze with two consecutive victories. They started with a thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans, amassing 243/5, before brushing aside Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets, thanks to a power-packed performance from Prabhsimran Singh and Iyer.
Rajasthan, in contrast, have had a turbulent start. A high-scoring battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad saw them post 242/6, but SRH’s record-breaking 286 proved too much. A lacklustre batting display against Kolkata Knight Riders followed, leading to another defeat. However, RR roared back against Chennai Super Kings, defending 182 in a tense 6-run win, with Nitish Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls proving to be the difference.
Historically, RR hold the edge, having won 16 of their 28 encounters against PBKS, while Punjab have triumphed 11 times, with one match en
