Will a buoyant Royals reel in high-flying Shreyas’ Kings?

Shreyas Iyer has been leading from the front for Punjab Kings.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Punjab Kings, after rollicking victories away in Ahmedabad and Lucknow, is set to play host for the first time in IPL 2025.

Saturday’s fixture against Rajasthan Royals is also a good opportunity for the in-form PBKS to snap its four-match winless run at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium.

After the 11-run win over Gujarat Titans in a run fest, PBKS hunted down Lucknow Super Giants’ 171 at a canter.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer (149 runs at a strike rate of 206.94) has been at the forefront of Kings’ charge with the bat.

The team’s astute use of the Impact Player rule (V. Vyshak vs GT and Nehal Wadhera vs LSG) is praiseworthy.

RR, which started its campaign with heavy losses against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, comes into this contest with a spring in its step after getting the better of Chennai Super Kings.

Nitish Rana’s 36-ball 81 set up the game before the bowlers — led by Jofra Archer (one for 13) and Wanindu Hasaranga (four for 35) — did a commendable job of defending 182.

The return of Sanju Samson as skipper after getting NCA’s clearance to resume wicket-keeping duties also bodes well for the visitor.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was the first one to turn up for batting practice on the eve of the match, looked determined to arrest his slump quickly.

It will also be interesting to see how Kings’ Yuzvendra Chahal — maybe with a point to prove — fares against his former side