Star pacer Jofra Archer will not be featuring for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, May 18. RR’s most recent game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended with the latter registering a narrow one-run win at Eden Gardens.
RR and PBKS come into this game on the back of three and seven victories in 12 and 11 games, respectively. A win in this match would confirm qualification for the visitors. On the other hand, RR are playing to salvage their pride.
Toss Update
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first. He revealed his decision was due to the batting-friendly wicket, as well as his side’s batters being in great touch. On the other hand, Sanju Samson revealed that he would have bowled first anyway, considering how it panned out in the previous game.
Archer and Rana Out, Samson returns
Jofra Archer has been ruled out of RR’s remaining matches in IPL 2025 due to a thumb injury sustained during their narrow loss to KKR. Ahead of the clash, RR’s officials confirmed that his absence is injury-related and not due to their elimination from the playoffs. The franchise is prioritizing Archer’s recovery ahead of England’s upcoming white-ball series. South African pacer Kwena Maphaka came in for Archer.
The hosts also brought back captain Sanju Samson after his recovery from an abdominal injury. Samson revealed that he would bat at No. 3, allowing young Vaibhav Suryavanshi to continue opening. Samson replaced Nitish Rana, who was ruled out due to a calf injury. Meanwhile, PBKS were without Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis, who have not rejoined the squad yet. In their absence, Mitch Owen and Xavier Bartlett were included.
What did the captains say?
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
We are going to bat first. The wicket looks fantastic, know how it plays here. The powerhouse has been our batting, so got to make the best use of it. Everyone is in high spirits. The mindset has been strong. Trying to make the best use of the sources. Kudos to the Army forces. Mitch Owen, Jansen, Omarzai are playing..
Sanju Samson (RR)
Wanted to bowl first after how the pitch behaved in the last game against RCB. Let’s see how it plays out today. I am okay, hundred percent fit. I would love to respect where he (Suryavanshi) is batting. He has played well for us. I will bat down the order, I come in for Nitish Rana. Maphaka comes in for Jofra Archer
Playing XIs
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Mitchell Owen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact Substitutes: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harpreet Brar, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kwena Maphaka, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Impact Substitutes: Kumar Kartikeya, Shubham Dubey, Ashok Sharma, Kunal Singh Rathore, Yudhvir Singh Charak.
India
