PBKS vs RR, 59th Match at Jaipur, IPL, May 18 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Right then. That is all we have from Jaipur. But don't venture too far away. GT and DC are already underway in Delhi. A win for GT will mean three teams seal their playoffs spot. Do hop over. And till the next time, take care, ciao!

7:15pm This is the story of the season for RR. They have been consistent in this - starting a chase at break-neck speed only to falter in the middle and death overs. They started on the right note with the ball and couldn't rein in the PBKS batters after that. They began in top gear in the powerplay, scoring 89 in the first six overs - their best effort ever in the IPL. But the rest of the line-up couldn't follow it up with decent contributions. Jurel's fifty is just a consolation as he couldn't provide RR with the push they needed to cross the line.

PBKS owe their defence to a certain Harpreet Brar, who came in as the Impact Player and had the right kind of effort. He dismissed both the left-hand openers and then pegged back Parag, who was starting to look in flow.

Sanju Samson, RR captain: "We started off well. Couldn't ask for more. We couldn't carry on the momentum we got in the powerplay. It was gettable with the kind of the wicket and outfield. With our batting line-up and power-hitters, we thought it was chaseable. We just have to get the job done and finish off the innings. We have experienced guys, we are trying our best but things are not falling our way. We can't try much. First priority is to win the game. Try a few options keeping next year in mind."

Marco Jansen presents Yashasvi Jaiswal with the Orange Cap before the interview: "Definitely felt tight. The ball was just flying everywhere. For us it was about staying in the game. Talk was about two or three or four good overs. Would bring their run rate down. We did that quite well and finished it off at the back end. [Conversation with Arshdeep] I gave an option, he gave a certain option, we went with his and he smiled. The body feels good, getting a small break before coming here helped in terms of mental things. Whenever the team needed me, tried to stick up like everyone's been doing."

Shreyas Iyer, PBKS captain: "Finger injury [right index finger]. Don't know what has happened. Yesterday while practice, I got hit. Will have to check. Was passing on message to players. Body language tends to drop when opposition plays well. Brar is consistent in the nets. Today he stepped in and delivered. His mindset has been tremendous throughout. Absolutely brilliant approach and attitude. Guys were in high spirits. We showed the mindset that we wanted to win irrespective of the situation. [Jaipur being home ground] We saw spinners were difficult to take charge over. Majority of runs were scored off fast bowlers. We can change the game from any situation."

Harpreet Brar, Player of the Match: "Feels good. I want to dedicate this award to my wife. This is my first Player of the Match award after marriage. Ponting sir has motivated me, worked on a lot of things. My plans were clear - I knew they would look to attack me. The way the wicket was behaving, the way they were batting, I had only one thing in mind - not to give easy boundary balls. I have been working with Sunil Joshi for a few years. Taught me about using the crease, reading batters. [On being the second spinner behind Chahal] When he came into the team, I felt it would be easy to bowl in partnership with him. Cricket is a funny game, I knew I would grab opportunity whenever I would get the chance."

Kwena Maphaka to face the hat-trick ball from his South African team-mate Jansen

Hasaranga in next

20 needed off 4, Jurel examining the field

RR need 22 off 6 balls. They started the chase by scoring 22 off 6. Jansen to bowl it. Point, cover, square leg, long-off, midwicket out in the deep

Deep backward point in place. Long-on comes in

Arshdeep for the penultimate over. Will he be able to leave enough for the bowler who bowls the final over?

Ritz: "Looks like "the so near yet so far.." story of RR chases this season is gonna continue.."

Impact Player Shubham Dubey walks in. PBKS' Impact Player made an impact

41 needed off 18. Omarzai to bowl his fourth