In a game where batters dominated early on, it was Harpreet Brar who turned the tide for Punjab Kings with a sensational spell of left-arm spin, halting Rajasthan Royals’ high-flying start and powering his team to a crucial 10-run victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur during the IPL 2025 clash.
Introduced as an Impact Player, Harpreet Brar’s introduction couldn’t have been timed better. Rajasthan Royals were off to a blistering start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and young Vaibhav Suryavanshi tearing into the Punjab Kings bowlers. The hosts were looking well on track in their daunting chase of 220, until Brar stepped in and flipped the script.
Brar struck twice in quick succession, dismissing both openers and injecting much-needed belief back into the Punjab Kings camp. First, he got rid of the dangerous Jaiswal, who had already smashed a 25-ball fifty, and then dismissed Suryavanshi, who looked poised for a big one. But Brar wasn’t done yet.
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The highlight of his spell came in the 14th over when he delivered a quicker one that skidded through to rattle Riyan Parag’s stumps. Parag, trying to slog across the line, was beaten by pace and saw the leg stump lit up. That wicket was a defining moment in the chase, and Harpreet’s reaction stole the show—he celebrated with his trademark thigh-slap, and teammate Arshdeep Singh joined in, handing Brar his sunglasses, prompting a fun, swag-filled pose that brought a smile even in a high-pressure moment.
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Parag’s dismissal for 13 off 11 was a blow to RR’s chase, especially as he was expected to anchor the middle overs. Brar’s spell of 4-0-22-3 stood out in a match dominated by aggressive batting, as he applied the brakes at the perfect time and kept RR under check.
Despite a valiant effort from Dhruv Jurel, who scored a fighting 53, the Rajasthan Royals fell short, ending at 209/7. The disciplined bowling effort from PBKS, led by Brar, ensured they bagged two vital points.
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With this win, Punjab Kings climbed to second place on the points table with 17 points. More importantly, they inched closer to sealing a playoff berth and are now in prime contention for a top-two finish. Brar’s performance will be remembered as one of the key spells of IPL 2025, not just for his wickets, but for the style, timing, and impact it had on Punjab’s campaign.
