The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have significantly bolstered their aspirations for an IPL 2025 playoff berth, securing a crucial 10-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a thrilling encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The win, coming after a high-scoring contest, was orchestrated by two unsung heroes: the explosive batting of young Nehal Wadhera and the game-changing spin of Harpreet Brar, whose individual brilliance proved instrumental in PBKS inching closer to the coveted top four.
The victory, Punjab’s eighth of the season, propelled them to 17 points from 12 games, placing them comfortably in the top half of the points table. With this result, and subsequent outcomes in other matches, PBKS have officially qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs for the first time since 2014, ending an eleven-year drought. This long-awaited qualification adds a layer of emotional significance to their impressive campaign.
The match, the 59th of IPL 2025, saw Punjab Kings opt to bat first after winning the toss. Their innings, however, got off to a rocky start. Despite the in-form openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh attempting to get off to a flyer, PBKS found themselves in deep trouble at 34 for 3 inside the powerplay. Priyansh Arya (9) fell early, followed by Prabhsimran Singh (21), and debutant Mitchell Owen was dismissed for a duck, leaving the Kings reeling.
It was at this critical juncture that Nehal Wadhera stepped up to the plate, showcasing maturity beyond his years. The young left-hander, who has emerged as a crisis man for PBKS this season, not only steadied the innings but also launched a ferocious counter-attack. Wadhera, along with captain Shreyas Iyer (30 off 25 balls), forged a vital 67-run partnership off just 44 deliveries, pulling PBKS out of the mire. Iyer played a supportive role, allowing Wadhera to dominate. Wadhera, continuing his sublime form, brought up his fifty off just 25 balls and went on to score a magnificent 70 runs off just 37 deliveries, an innings laced with five boundaries and five towering sixes, striking at an impressive 189. This was his highest-ever IPL score and his second impactful rescue act for PBKS this season, having scored 62 against the same opposition in an earlier encounter.
Even after Wadhera’s dismissal in the 16th over, the momentum was carried forward by the dynamic Shashank Singh. Shashank, who has been a revelation for PBKS with his finishing prowess, smashed an unbeaten 59 runs off just 30 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Along with Azmatullah Omarzai (21* off 9), Shashank ensured a formidable finish, with the duo adding 60 runs in the final four overs, propelling Punjab Kings to a daunting total of 219 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. This marked PBKS’s sixth 200-plus total in IPL 2025, the most by any team this season, showcasing their fearless and aggressive batting approach.
Chasing a mammoth 220, the Rajasthan Royals began with an explosive start, reminiscent of their early season form. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 25 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15 balls) tore into the PBKS pace attack, racing to 50 in just 2.5 overs – the fastest team fifty of IPL 2025. They smashed 76 runs in just 4.5 overs, putting immense pressure on the Punjab bowlers.
However, the tide dramatically turned with the introduction of Harpreet Brar. The left-arm spinner, brought in as an Impact Player for PBKS, delivered a match-winning performance that completely stifled RR’s rampant chase. Brar made an immediate impact, dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi with a full delivery, caught at mid-off. He then returned to remove the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal immediately after the latter reached his blistering fifty. Brar wasn’t done yet, as he also accounted for the wicket of Riyan Parag (13), breaking the Royals’ middle-order momentum. Brar’s exceptional figures of 3 wickets for just 22 runs from his four overs were truly game-changing, as he choked the flow of runs and picked up crucial wickets at vital junctures. His customary ‘thigh-five’ celebration after each wicket became a familiar sight, embodying his impact.
Rajasthan Royals continued to fight, with Dhruv Jurel playing a valiant knock of 53 runs off 31 balls, keeping their hopes alive. However, with the required run rate climbing, PBKS bowlers held their nerve in the death overs. Marco Jansen, who had a tough start, bounced back strongly in the final over, defending 22 runs and picking up two crucial wickets, including that of Jurel, to seal the win for Punjab Kings by a narrow margin of 10 runs.
The comprehensive team effort, particularly the contributions of Nehal Wadhera with the bat and Harpreet Brar with the ball, exemplified Punjab Kings’ determination and fighting spirit. This victory not only secures their playoff spot but also injects a significant boost of confidence as they look to make a strong statement in the knockout stages of IPL 2025. For Rajasthan Royals, it was another instance of a strong start not being converted, as their middle-order faltered under pressure, highlighting a persistent challenge in their chase strategy this season.