PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction, Today Match 18th: Fantasy Team Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report and Head-to-Head

PBKS Vs RR Match Preview

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 18th T20 match of the league on 5th April 2025 at 7:30 PM IST. The venue for this exciting clash is the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh.

PBKS has shown slightly more consistency recently, while RR has faced struggles with three losses in their last five games. Despite this, RR has historically held the upper hand in head-to-head encounters. PBKS won the last meeting between the two sides, but RR will be determined to make a strong comeback.

PBKS, coming off a mixed run of form (WWLWL), will depend on key players like Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Arshdeep Singh to deliver a strong performance. Their batting lineup appears solid, but concerns remain over their death bowling.

On the other hand, RR, with three losses in their last five matches (WLLLW), will look to Sanju Samson, Jofra Archer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to lead their fightback. Their spin trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal could prove crucial in exploiting the slowing pitch conditions.

PBKS Vs RR Match Information

Match info

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh, India
Series	Indian Premier League
Toss	Punjab Kings, elected to bowl
Weather	30.1°C|Sunny
Season	2025
Match days	05 Apr, 2025
Umpire	Kannur Swaroopanand Ulhas Gandhe
Tv Umpire	Virender Sharma

PBKS Vs RR Weather & Pitch Report

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh

Sunny 30.1°C

PBKS Vs RR Head-to-Head

PBKS Vs RR Recent Performance

Team Form (LAST 5 MATCHES)

Punjab Kings

W W L W L

• 01.04.25 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Lucknow Super Giants

  Punjab Kings

  (20.0) 171/7

  (16.2) 177/2

  W
  Punjab Kings won by 8 wickets
• 25.03.25 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Gujarat Titans

  Punjab Kings

  (20.0) 232/5

  (20.0) 243/5

  W
  Punjab Kings beat Gujarat Titans by 11 runs
• 19.05.24 15:30 PM

  IPL
  Sunrisers Hyderabad

  Punjab Kings

  (19.1) 215/6

  (20.0) 214/5

  L
  Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 4 wickets
• 15.05.24 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Rajasthan Royals

  Punjab Kings

  (20.0) 144/9

  (18.5) 145/5

  W
  Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets
• 09.05.24 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Punjab Kings

  Royal Challengers Bengaluru

  (17.0) 181/10

  (20.0) 241/7

  L
  Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by 60 runs

Rajasthan Royals

W L L L W

• 30.03.25 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Rajasthan Royals

  Chennai Super Kings

  (20.0) 182/9

  (20.0) 176/6

  W
  Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs
• 26.03.25 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Rajasthan Royals

  Kolkata Knight Riders

  (20.0) 151/9

  (17.3) 153/2

  L
  Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets
• 23.03.25 15:30 PM

  IPL
  Sunrisers Hyderabad

  Rajasthan Royals

  (20.0) 286/6

  (20.0) 242/6

  L
  Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 44 runs
• 24.05.24 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Sunrisers Hyderabad

  Rajasthan Royals

  (20.0) 175/9

  (20.0) 139/7

  L
  Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 36 runs
• 22.05.24 19:30 PM

  IPL
  Rajasthan Royals

  Royal Challengers Bengaluru

  (19.0) 174/6

  (20.0) 172/8

  W
  Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 4 wickets

Best and Hot Key Player Picks for PBKS vs RR Dream 11 prediction

Wicketkeepers (WK)

Sanju Samson (RR) – Points: 195 | Credits: 9.0 | Selected by: 79.41%

Dhruv Jurel (RR) – Points: 220 | Credits: 7.5 | Selected by: 53.76%

Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS) – Points: 162 | Credits: 7.5 | Selected by: 74.02%

Hot Pick: Sanju Samson (Consistent performer, high ownership)

Batsmen (BAT)

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – Points: 299 | Credits: 9.0 | Selected by: 95.06%

Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) – Points: 98 | Credits: 8.5 | Selected by: 61.04%

Nehal Wadhera (PBKS) – Points: 93 | Credits: 7.5 | Selected by: 25.19%

Hot Pick: Shreyas Iyer (Top scorer, must-have in fantasy teams)

All-Rounders (AR)

Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) – Points: 77 | Credits: 8.5 | Selected by: 73.55%

Marco Jansen (PBKS) – Points: 89 | Credits: 8.0 | Selected by: 51.97%

Hot Pick: Glenn Maxwell (Big-match player, can change the game with bat & ball)

Bowlers (BOWL)

Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – Points: 174 | Credits: 8.5 | Selected by: 92.92%

Jofra Archer (RR) – Points: 101 | Credits: 8.0 | Selected by: 52.09%

Hot Pick: Arshdeep Singh (Leading wicket-taker, death-over specialist)

PBKS vs RR Dream 11 Team Option

Guru Team Picks:

WK: Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh

Batters: Shreyas Iyer (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Riyan Parag, Marco Jansen

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Arshdeep Singh

Captain: Shreyas Iyer | Vice-Captain: Sanju Samson

Mega Team Picks

WK: Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh

Batters: Shreyas Iyer

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Nitish Rana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Riyan Parag, Marco Jansen

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Arshdeep Singh, L Ferguson

Players to Avoid in PBKS vs RR

Here are the risky picks to avoid or bench in  fantasy teams based on current form, matchups, and role uncertainties:

Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Players to Avoid

1.Liam Livingstone – Struggling for consistency (low recent scores, high credit cost).

2.Harpreet Brar – Not a guaranteed wicket-taker (better spin options like Hasaranga/Chahal).

3.Rahul Chahar – Ineffective in recent games (RR's batters play spin well).

Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Players to Avoid

1.Shimron Hetmyer – Unreliable middle-order role (high-risk, low returns lately).

2.Ravichandran Ashwin – Minimal impact with ball/bat (better AR picks like Maxwell/Stoinis).

3.Trent Boult – Less threatening in middle/death overs (Chahal/Archer preferred).

Why Avoid Them?

Low fantasy points in last 3–5 matches.

Tough matchups (e.g., PBKS batters vs RR spinners).

Better alternatives available (e.g., Jurel > Hetmyer, Hasaranga > Ashwin).

Safer Alternatives:

PBKS: Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep, Maxwell.

RR: Samson, Jaiswal, Archer.

Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Jofra Archer, Arshdeep Singh

PBKS vs RR Match Prediction

Pitch Report: Chandigarh's surface is generally balanced, offering help to both pacers and batsmen. A score of 170-180 could be competitive.

Key Battle: Arshdeep Singh vs Sanju Samson – If PBKS restricts Samson early, RR's middle order could crumble.

X-Factor: Glenn Maxwell – His explosive batting and handy off-spin could tilt the game.

Predicted Winner: PBKS (Slightly better form & home advantage) 

Final Verdict: Expect a close contest, but PBKS might edge past RR in a high-scoring thriller.

PBKS vs RR  Playing XI prediction

PBKS Predicted XI:

1.Shikhar Dhawan (C)

2.Prabhsimran Singh (WK)

3.Shreyas Iyer

4.Liam Livingstone

5.Glenn Maxwell

6.Jitesh Sharma

7.Sam Curran

8.Harpreet Brar

9.Kagiso Rabada

10.Arshdeep Singh

11.Rahul Chahar

RR Predicted XI:

1.Yashasvi Jaiswal

2.Jos Buttler

3.Sanju Samson (C & WK)

4.Riyan Parag

5.Shimron Hetmyer

6.Rovman Powell

7.Ravichandran Ashwin

8.Trent Boult

9.Yuzvendra Chahal

10.Avesh Khan

11.Prasidh Krishna