Sat Apr 05 17:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Iyer Leads Punjab Kings in Mullanpur Debut Against Rajasthan Royals

**Mullanpur, [Date]:** The Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosted their first ever IPL 2025 home game today at their Mullanpur ground, opting to bowl first against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Captain Shreyas Iyer, who is currently in exceptional form, predicted the impact of dew on the match.

PBKS made one change to their starting XI from their previous game, bringing in Nehal Wadhera, who impressed with a 25-ball 43 as an Impact Sub in the last match, in place of Priyansh Arya. Arya remains on the bench as a potential second-innings substitute.

Rajasthan Royals saw the return of captain Sanju Samson to the starting XI as wicketkeeper after recovering from a finger injury that previously limited him to an Impact Sub role. Samson expressed relief at being back after a frustrating period on the sidelines. RR also made a single change, with Yudhvir Singh replacing the injured Tushar Deshpande.

The full playing XIs were:

**Rajasthan Royals:** Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (capt & wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh, Sandeep Sharma.

**Punjab Kings:** Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

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