Chandigarh, Apr 5 (UNI) Dazzling knocks from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag lit up the evening as Rajasthan Royals posted a commanding 205 for 4, the highest IPL total at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, against Punjab Kings in the 18th IPL 2025 match here on Saturday.
Jaiswal, looking to stamp his authority this season, produced a stylish 67 off 45 balls, laced with 3 fours and 5 sixes. His innings began with elegant strokeplay and shifted gears in the powerplay as he launched into Marco Jansen, slamming him for two sixes in the fourth over — a ramp over third man followed by a thumping slog over square leg.
The young left-hander brought up his 50 in style with a boundary down the ground off Yuzvendra Chahal and continued to dominate before being bowled by a slower delivery from Lockie Ferguson. Ferguson also accounted for skipper Sanju Samson (38 off 26), who had kept the momentum going earlier with a flurry of boundaries.
With the top order setting the platform at 123/2, Parag took over. The Assam batsman continued his purple patch with a blazing unbeaten 43 off 25 deliveries, peppered with 3 fours and as many sixes. He muscled two back-to-back maximums in the 18th over off Jansen — one whipped stylishly over fine leg, the other thumped over long-on with disdain.
Though he was given a lifeline on 32 when Jansen dropped a return catch, Parag made full use of it, guiding the Royals through the final phase. His composure allowed others like Shimron Hetmyer (20 off 12) and Dhruv Jurel (13* off 5) to play freely.
The final over, bowled by Marcus Stoinis, yielded 19 runs as Jurel showcased his finishing skills. He struck a six over deep mid-wicket off a low full toss and followed it with a clever steer over short third man for four, helping RR cross the 200-run mark for the first-time this season.
Punjab bowlers were left searching for answers. Ferguson impressed with 2 for 37 from his 4 overs, while Jansen (1/45) and Arshdeep Singh (1/35) chipped in. Maxwell bowled a solitary over for just six runs, but Stoinis (4-0-48-0) was severely punished.
Having posted a mountain of runs on the board, Rajasthan will now look to back up their batting heroics with a disciplined bowling effort.
