IPL 2025: Archer, Sharma, and Theekshana excel as Rajasthan hands Punjab Kings a 50-run loss

Synopsis

In Match 18 of IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals secured a dominant 50-run victory against Punjab Kings, with stellar performances from Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, and Maheesh Theekshana. Rajasthan set a challenging target of 206 runs, thanks to strong batting from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag. Punjab's chase faltered despite Nehal Wadhera's efforts.

Key Takeaways

Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma led Rajasthan's bowling attack.
Rajasthan posted a total of 205 runs.
Nehal Wadhera showed resilience for Punjab with a solid score.
Rajasthan's victory marked Punjab's first defeat of the season.
Match took place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

New Chandigarh, April 5 (NationPress) Jofra Archer took three wickets while Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana secured two wickets each, leading Rajasthan Royals to a 50-run victory over Punjab Kings in Match 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Rajasthan was asked to bat first, and Yashasvi Jaiswal along with Riyan Parag propelled the team to a formidable total of 205/4, marking the first score over 200 at this venue.

The home team started their chase poorly as Jofra Archer dismissed both Priyansh Arya (0) and Shreyas Iyer (10) in the opening over. Sandeep Sharma followed suit, trapping Marcus Stoinis (1) with his bowling. Nehal Wadhera (62) and Glenn Maxwell (30) attempted to stabilize the innings after a precarious start, with Wadhera receiving a reprieve when Dhruv Jurel dropped a catch at 5 runs.

The pair formed an 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket, reviving Punjab's innings. Wadhera reached his half-century in style, smashing Wanindu Hasaranga straight down the ground, and began to accelerate the scoring in the challenging chase.

Just when it appeared that Punjab might mount a comeback, calamity struck as Maxwell was caught by Jaiswal at long-on off Theekshana on the last ball of the 15th over, and Wadhera was dismissed off Hasaranga on the very next delivery.

Sandeep, Theekshana, and Archer then wrapped up the lower order, handing Punjab their first defeat of the season.

In the opening innings, Jaiswal and skipper Sanju Samson laid the groundwork for Rajasthan Royals, achieving an 89-run opening partnership before Lockie Ferguson claimed the first wicket.

Jaiswal scored his 10th IPL half-century, the first of the season, off 40 balls, hitting Yuzvendra Chahal for a four followed by a huge six over midwicket. His aggressive play continued with another six and four off Marcus Stoinis in the subsequent over, though Ferguson eventually dismissed him, breaking his innings.

Parag finally found his rhythm in this season, showing intent to escalate the innings with consecutive boundaries off Arshdeep Singh. He continued the assault with two sixes from Jansen, before being dropped by the bowler after mis-hitting a slog.

Dhruv Jurel, Rajasthan’s leading run-scorer this season, contributed 19 runs in the final over, propelling the Royals beyond the 200-run mark and setting a challenging target of 206.

Brief scores:

Rajasthan Royals 205/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Riyan Parag 43*, Sanju Samson 38; Lockie Ferguson 2-37, Arshdeep Singh 1-35) defeated Punjab Kings 155/9 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 62, Glenn Maxwell 30; Jofra Archer 3-25, Sandeep Sharma 2-21, Maheesh Theekshana 2-26) by 50 runs.