Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
After a 10-day break, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumed on Saturday, May 17 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scheduled to take on defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But to everyone’s disappointment, the match saw a delayed start with rain coming into play. However, the rain hampered the chances of both teams, fans will hope for a spectacular double-header Sunday on May 18.
With two matches scheduled for the day, in the scorching afternoon heat of Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Although, the Royals will be playing for pride, PBKS will hope to get a win and confirm their playoffs chances.
PBKS will miss key players in IPL 2025 match vs RR: James Hopes
Speaking on the eve of the match, PBKS bowling coach, James Hopes confirmed of the side missing a few key players, who have rather opted out of the season or are yet to join the side in the next few days. Hopes also added that Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis will not be available, while also adding that Marco Jansen also remains doubtful.
"We do not have a complete squad. We hope that Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis join us early next week, but to be honest, I'm pretty bullish on the depth in our squad, like we have Mitchell Owens here. Marco Jansen arrives today, he has been training in Dubai. Outside of those two Australians and Aaron Hardie, we have got our full squad," James Hopes said at the pre-match press conference.
"There have been certain times in the tournament that Josh and Marcus have not been selected anyway, so we are pretty bullish about our squad," Hopes further added, hoping to surpass the upcoming challenge.
Punjab Kings’ updated squad for IPL 2025
Shreyas Iyer (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Singh Pannu, Kuldeep Sen, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett, Pyla Avinash, Pravin Dubey, Nehal Wadhera, Mitchell Owen, Kyle Jamieson
