Sanju Samson is all set to return to action and will lead RR in their first game post the IPL 2025 restart. The Royals have already been eliminated from the playoffs race and are sitting at the 9th position on the points table. On Sunday, they will be looking to hamper PBKS’ chances of making it to the playoffs by handing them an upset. However, the task won’t be easy.
RR predicted playing XI vs PBKS
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| 2. | Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Batter |
| 3. | Sanju Samson (C) | Batter |
| 4. | Riyan Parag | Batter |
| 5. | Dhruv Jurel (WK) | Batter |
| 6. | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter |
| 7. | Shubham Dubey | Batter |
| 8. | Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder |
| 9. | Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler |
| 10. | Akash Madhwal | Bowler |
| 11. | Kumar Kartikeya | Bowler |
RR are faced with multiple roadblocks in the form of injuries and player unavailability. Their ace pacers Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma will not be available for the remainder of the tournament. To add to their woes, Nitish Rana too was ruled out a week earlier.
One piece of good news for RR is that Sanju Samson is all set to return to action. The RR captain had to miss a few games due to a side strain. However, he will return in the tie against PBKS, possibly batting at number 3.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the SA20 sensation named as an injury replacement, is expected to replace 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi as opener.
RR’s main concern is their depleted bowling attack. In the absence of Archer and Sharma, the side will have to turn to young Madhwal and Kartikeya. The Sri Lankan duo of Theekshana-Hasaranga haven’t been that impressive in IPL 2025.
RR squad for IPL 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Singh Rathore, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Sanju Samson, Tushar Deshpande, Kumar Kartikeya, Nandre Burger, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ashok Sharma
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