IPL 2025 Match No. 59: RR vs PBKS – Fantasy Cricket Analysis for Beginners - Best11.in
Welcome to our detailed fantasy cricket analysis for IPL 2025 Match No. 59, where Rajasthan Royals take on Punjab Kings. Whether you're new to fantasy cricket or a seasoned player, this guide will help you build a winning Dream Team for both small and Grand Leagues. Let’s break down the match preview, pitch report, player analysis, and team-building strategies.
Match Preview: RR vs PBKS
In this exciting IPL 2025 clash, Rajasthan Royals (RR) face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. RR has already been eliminated from playoff contention, meaning they have little to lose and will likely play an open, fearless game. On the other hand, this match is a do-or-die for PBKS—if they win, they stay alive in the playoff race; if they lose, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals will have an easier path to the next round.
The stakes are high for fantasy players too. We’ll identify the top 11 players who can help you win big in Grand Leagues, suggest captain and vice-captain picks for small and Grand Leagues, and highlight low-ownership players who could be game-changers. This is a double-header day, with Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans following this match, so there’s plenty of opportunity to maximize your earnings.
Head-to-Head History
RR and PBKS have faced off 29 times in IPL history. RR holds the edge with 17 wins, while PBKS has secured 12 victories. In their most recent encounter this season, RR batted first and won by 50 runs. Sanju Samson scored 38, Riyan Parag made 43, and Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed 67. On the bowling front, Jofra Archer took 3 wickets, Sandeep Sharma grabbed 2, and Tushar Deshpande also claimed 2. For PBKS, Prabhsimran Singh flopped, but Nihal Wadhera shone with 62. Shreyas Iyer and Shashank Singh struggled, while Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh each took 1 wicket.
Looking back at the previous season, PBKS won a low-scoring game. Sanju Samson didn’t contribute much, Yashasvi Jaiswal flopped, but Riyan Parag stood out. Prabhsimran struggled against RR, while Arshdeep made an impact with the ball. Four players—Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Arshdeep Singh—have been consistent Dream Team picks in RR vs PBKS clashes and could be key today.
Pitch Report: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
The pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium is batting-friendly but offers good assistance to pacers. The average first-innings score here is 150-160. The highest score at this venue is Mumbai Indians’ 217/2, while the lowest is RR’s 59 all out. In 62 IPL matches at this ground, teams batting first have won 23 times, while teams chasing have won 39, making it a chasing-friendly venue.
Scoring patterns:
- Below 150: 16 matches
- 150-169: 19 matches
- 170-189: 14 matches
- 190+: 13 matches
Recent matches have seen higher scores. Mumbai scored 217, a GT vs RR game saw 400+ runs combined across both innings, and Lucknow Super Giants beat RR by 2 runs in a 180-run game. Expect a high-scoring match today (180+), with pacers likely to dominate. RR spinners might pick 2-3 wickets, but for PBKS, focus on their pacers rather than spinners.
Key Players to Watch
Some players might confuse you when picking your team, especially when considering trump cards or game-changers. Here’s a breakdown of key players from both sides.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson:RR’s captain has been in good form during net practice and is expected to play. He’s a safe small-league pick, likely to score 30-35 runs. (Venue: 31 matches, 900+ runs, 39 avg; vs PBKS: 8 matches, 264 runs, 33 avg)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: A confirmed pick, expect 30-40 runs. He’s a strong captain/vice-captain (CVC) option. (Venue: 18 matches, 680 runs, 42 avg; vs PBKS: 7 matches, 288 runs, 41 avg)
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi:Unlikely to score big and might flop. Drop him in small leagues.
- Riyan Parag: A confirmed pick, expect 40-42 runs. He’s a good CVC option for Grand Leagues. (Venue: 13 matches, 400+ runs, 41 avg; vs PBKS: 8 matches, 183 runs, 30 avg)
- Shimron Hetmyer: Likely to score under 15 runs—drop him. (Venue: 13 matches, 124 runs, 14 avg)
- Wanindu Hasaranga: A key all-rounder, expect at least 1 wicket. (Venue: 3 matches, 2 wickets)
- Tushar Deshpande: Pick him if RR bowls first; drop if they bowl second. (Venue: 5 matches, 4 wickets)
- Other Notable Players: Akash Madhwal (bowler) and Yudhvir Singh (low-ownership game-changer).
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Prabhsimran Singh:Confirmed pick, expect 20-25 runs. (Venue: 3 matches, 90 runs, 45 avg)
- Priyansh Arya: A confirmed pick for your team.
- Shreyas Iyer: PBKS captain, confirmed pick, expect 40-50 runs. A strong CVC option. (Venue: 1 match, 4 runs; vs RR: 12 matches, 376 runs, 31 avg)
- Nihal Wadhera: A Grand League pick, confirmed for a big score. (Venue: 1 match, 49 runs; vs RR: 2 matches, 111 runs, 55 avg)
- Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh:Key pacers, especially if PBKS bowls first. Arshdeep is a safe CVC option.
- Notable Absences:Big names like Jos Buttler, Marcus Stoinis, and Jofra Archer won’t play. Replacements will be updated closer to the match.
Winning Probability
PBKS has a higher chance of winning this match. In their last 5 games, RR has won just 1, while PBKS has won 3 (with 1 match abandoned). PBKS also looks stronger on paper based on overall stats.
Fantasy Team Suggestions
Small League Team
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh
- Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya
- All-rounders:Wanindu Hasaranga, Riyan Parag, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande
- Captain:Shreyas Iyer
- Vice-Captain:Yashasvi Jaiswal
Grand League Tips
- Key Combinations: Focus on Riyan Parag + Marco Jansen or Arshdeep Singh + Yuzvendra Chahal.
- Game-Changers:Prabhsimran Singh, Nihal Wadhera, Sanju Samson, and Marco Jansen.
- Low-Ownership Differentiator: Yudhvir Singh (RR bowler) could be a surprise package with less than 10-20% ownership.
- For multiple teams (5-6 teams), shuffle players like Hasaranga, Nihal Wadhera, and Jansen based on whether your team favors batting or bowling first.
Final Thoughts
This RR vs PBKS match offers plenty of opportunities for fantasy cricket players to make smart picks and win big. Focus on the players highlighted above, especially the confirmed picks like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Riyan Parag, while keeping an eye on low-ownership options like Yudhvir Singh for Grand Leagues. With a high-scoring game expected, prioritize pacers and top-order batters in your Dream Team. Best of luck!
