The 2025 IPL season has been filled with thrilling matches, and the latest clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) was no exception. On April 5, 2025, Rajasthan Royals claimed a dominant 50-run victory over Punjab Kings, putting an end to their unbeaten streak.
The match was full of action, from explosive batting performances to strategic bowling, as RR showcased their strength. This article breaks down the highlights of the match and how it impacted the IPL 2025 points table, including team rankings, standings, and the all-important Net Run Rate (NRR).
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Dominate with Batting and Bowling
Rajasthan Royals, led by captain Sanju Samson, chose to bat first and put up a challenging total of 205/4. Their key contributor was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played an impressive knock of 67 runs from 44 balls.
Jaiswal’s innings included three fours and five sixes, making it the highest score of the match. After a slow start to the season, Jaiswal’s performance silenced critics and proved his ability to bounce back.
Jaiswal was well-supported by Samson, who scored 38 off 26 balls. Together, they built a strong 89-run partnership, which was RR’s best start of the season. The middle overs saw some setbacks for RR, as they lost three wickets between the 11th and 15th overs.
However, Riyan Parag’s explosive 43 runs from 25 balls, including three sixes, helped them finish strong, pushing their total beyond 200. RR ended their innings at 205/4, their highest score at this venue.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Struggle in the Chase
Punjab Kings, chasing a target of 206 runs, had a disastrous start. They lost Priyansh Arya on the very first ball of their innings, and things only got worse when skipper Shreyas Iyer, who had been in excellent form, was dismissed by Jofra Archer on the final ball of the first over. By the seventh over, PBKS had already lost four top-order batters, leaving them in a tough spot.
However, Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell brought some hope with a strong 88-run partnership. Wadhera played a brilliant knock of 62, but the team’s hopes were dashed when both he and Maxwell were dismissed in consecutive deliveries. The Punjab Kings’ innings quickly fell apart, and they were bowled out for 155, giving Rajasthan Royals a convincing 50-run win.
Jofra Archer was the standout bowler for Rajasthan, picking up 3 wickets for just 25 runs. Other bowlers, including Sandeep Sharma (2/21), Maheesh Theekshana (2/26), and Kumar Kartikeya (1/21), also made key contributions. Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling effort ensured that PBKS could never recover from their early setbacks.
IPL 2025 Points Table After RR vs PBKS
Following Rajasthan Royals’ win, the IPL 2025 points table has been updated. Here’s how the rankings look after the RR vs PBKS match:
IPL 2025 Points Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | CupR | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6.2 | +1.257 | 6 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6.2 | +1.149 | 4 |
| Gujarat Titans | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8.6 | +0.807 | 4 |
| Punjab Kings | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7.8 | +0.074 | 4 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13.5 | +0.070 | 4 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | +0.048 | 4 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 16.5 | -0.185 | 4 |
| Mumbai Indians | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8.8 | +0.108 | 2 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 16.5 | -0.891 | 2 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12.5 | -1.612 | 2 |
Analysis of the IPL Points Table
After RR’s win, Rajasthan Royals have moved up the standings with 4 points from 4 matches. Despite their win, their negative Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.185 puts them in the middle of the table.
Delhi Capitals remain at the top of the points table, having won all three of their matches with a healthy NRR of +1.257. On the other hand, Punjab Kings’ first loss of the season leaves them with 4 points, but they remain in the top half of the table, thanks to their positive NRR of +0.074.
Looking at the bottom of the table, teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are struggling, with only 1 win out of 4 matches. Their poor NRR is making it harder for them to climb up the table in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
The RR vs PBKS match was a crucial one in the 2025 IPL season, with Rajasthan Royals making a statement with both bat and ball. Rajasthan’s dominant 50-run win has shaken up the points table, especially with Punjab Kings suffering their first defeat.
The match highlighted key individual performances, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s return to form and Jofra Archer’s brilliant bowling spell. As the tournament progresses, teams will need to improve their performances to remain competitive in the race for the playoffs.