The 18th league match of IPL 2025 will be played between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The match is scheduled to begin on April 5 at 7:30 PM IST. So far this season, Punjab Kings, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, have played two matches and won both convincingly. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have managed to win only one out of their three matches. Sanju Samson will be leading the Royals in this game. All eyes are also on the pitch conditions at the Mullanpur stadium.
Mullanpur Pitch Expected to Favour Fast Bowlers
The pitch at Mullanpur is likely to support fast bowlers, especially in the early overs. The surface is known for offering good pace and bounce, making it challenging for batters initially. However, as the game progresses, it becomes relatively easier to score runs, and the batters could take advantage of the conditions later in the innings. Dew could play a crucial role here, and hence, the team winning the toss might prefer to bowl first and chase the target.
So far, the Mullanpur stadium has hosted five IPL matches. Out of these, teams batting first have won twice, while chasing teams have emerged victorious three times. The average first innings score at this venue is 167 runs.
Weather Conditions During the Match
According to AccuWeather, the temperature during the match is expected to hover around 16°C. The evening will be slightly cooler with some humidity in the air, which could help fast bowlers get swing with the new ball.