Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to face off in Match 18 of the IPL 2025, with the action unfolding at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

Punjab Kings, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, have kicked off their campaign on a high note with two convincing wins. In their last outing, they chased down 172 against Lucknow Super Giants with ease, winning by seven wickets. Prabhsimran Singh dazzled with a fiery 69 off 34 balls, while skipper Shreyas Iyer anchored the chase with a composed 52* off 30.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals endured a rough start with back-to-back losses but bounced back with a thrilling 6-run win over Chennai Super Kings. Nitish Rana was the star with the bat, smashing 81 off just 36 deliveries, and Wanindu Hasaranga turned the game around with a brilliant four-wicket haul. With both teams carrying momentum, expect a fiery clash in Mullanpur!

Pitch & Weather Conditions 

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has offered well-balanced pitches, providing a fair contest between bat and ball. Last season, five matches were played at this venue, with the average first innings score sitting at 167.

With dew expected to play a role in the second innings, teams winning the toss might prefer to bowl first to make the most of the conditions.

As for the weather, it’s forecasted to be clear and pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 23°C — perfect for an exciting evening of IPL action.

Top Player Picks for PBKS vs RR – Dream11 Prediction

Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)

Marcus Stoinis is a game-changer with both bat and ball and could play a crucial role for Punjab Kings in this clash. In the past 12 months, he has scored over 1,100 T20 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 139, while also bagging 34 wickets.

His Last 5 batting innings: 20 (15), 0 (5), 55* (40), 0 (1), 15 (24) and last 5 bowling innings: 0/15, 0/31, 1/22, 0/41, 1/18. 

Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)

Arshdeep has been a consistent wicket-taker, especially in the powerplay and death overs.
With 63 wickets in 37 matches over the past year and a strike rate of 12.6, he’s a strong pick for your fantasy team. Arshdeep’s last 5 bowling figures: 3/43, 2/36, 1/35, 1/40, 2/17

Jofra Archer (RR)

Despite an inconsistent patch, Jofra Archer showed his class with a brilliant spell of 1 for 13 in the last game. His pace and bounce could trouble the PBKS batting unit. His last 5 bowling figures are 1/13, 0/33, 0/76, 1/55, 0/37

Captain and Vice-Captaincy Picks

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer is in red-hot form and has anchored his team’s batting line-up beautifully. He has smashed 788 T20 runs in the last year at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 172. His last 5 innings: 52* (30), 97* (42), 16 (9), 46 (30), 5 (5)

Sanju Samson (RR)

Sanju Samson has had a couple of low scores recently, but his ability to explode with the bat makes him a solid pick. With 1,258 runs since last year, including 3 centuries and 6 fifties, he’s always a threat. Last 5 innings of Sanju : 20 (16), 13 (11), 66 (37), 16 (7), 1 (3)

Riyan Parag (RR) 

Though Riyan Parag hasn’t fired on all cylinders yet this season, he’s been in decent nick.
Since IPL 2024, he has scored 745 T20 runs at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 149. His last 5 innings: 37 (28), 25 (15), 4 (2), 34 (13), 15 (6)

Players We Are Tempted to Include 

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Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shashank Singh & Wanindu Hasaranga are the ones to Watch. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have shown they possess the firepower to give Punjab Kings a flying start. Their aggressive approach at the top can put the opposition on the back foot right from the powerplay and set the tone for a big total.

In the middle order, Shashank Singh brings versatility—he’s not only capable of clearing the ropes with ease but also skilled at maneuvering the field and finding crucial gaps during pressure phases. His ability to shift gears makes him a valuable asset.

We’re also strongly considering Wanindu Hasaranga for his dual-threat value. A proven wicket-taker with his clever variations, Hasaranga can break partnerships in the middle overs and chip in with vital runs down the order when needed.

These players add the right mix of explosiveness, consistency, and impact—exactly what you need for a strong fantasy lineup.