PBKS vs RR, IPL 2025: Mullanpur haunts Punjab Kings again as Royals thump hosts by 50 runs
by Sreehari Menon · Inside Sport IndiaThis Punjab Kings' fifth successive loss at their new home ground in Mullanpur.
PBKS vs RR, IPL 2025: Punjab Kings’ move to a new stadium hasn’t turned into the fortress they would hope for after yet another defeat at Mullanpur on Saturday. Facing the Rajasthan Royals, the hosts fell to a humiliating 50-run defeat, their fifth successive loss at the venue. Then Kings moved to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in 2024 but have endured a hard time at their new home.
Punjab Kings are the third franchise to have multiple home grounds. While teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders make their home ground a fortress, PBKS have flirted with the idea of multiple home grounds. In the past, they have played in Mohali and Dharamshala. In IPL 2025, they will play in Mullanpur and Dharamshala with no chance of taking advantage of the conditions of their home grounds.
Punjab Kings at Mullanpur
| Opponent | Result | Margin | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | Win | 4 wickets | 2024 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lost | 2 runs | 2024 |
| Rajasthan Royals | Lost | 3 wickets | 2024 |
| Mumbai Indians | Lost | 9 runs | 2024 |
| Gujarat Titans | Lost | 3 wickets | 2024 |
| Rajasthan Royals | Lost | 50 runs | 2025 |
Rajasthan topple Kings
However, there was an advantage for the visiting team. Despite opting to bowl, Shreyas Iyer could only see the momentum get away as Rajasthan Royals set a massive 206-run target. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a half-century while Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag chipped in with good cameos.
Punjab Kings in reply could only muster a paltry 155, with Jofra Archer picking 3 wickets. Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell put in some fightback in a counter-attacking display. The duo put on an 88-run stand, threatening to take the game deep, only for the Royals to pull the game back with quick strikes. Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Maxwell for 30, while his Sri Lankan counterpart Wanindu Hasaranga followed it up with the wicket of Nehal Wadhera.
The win meant that Sanju Samson became the most successful captain in Rajasthan Royals history. The 30-year-old has 32 wins in his captaincy tenure in 62 matches, going past the legendary Shane Warne.
Most wins by RR captains
- 32: Sanju Samson (62 mats)
- 31: Shane Warne (55 mats)
- 18: Rahul Dravid (34 mats)
- 15: Steven Smith (27 mats)
- 9: Ajinkya Rahane (24 mats)
The win comes at a vital time for Rajasthan Royals, who now have back-to-back wins after twin defeats. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have suffered their first loss off the campaign. Shreyas Iyer and Co will need to regroup and find a way to win at home. The Kings started their tournament well, but a disappointing run at home, stretching back to last season, threatens to haunt their aims for IPL 2025