Final result
Punjab Kings won by 5 runs
Player of the match: NT Ellis
Result · Indian Premier League
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
Result · Indian Premier League
H2H · PBKS 12–17 RRVenue par · 188Chase success · 48%POTM · NT Ellis
Match preview & overview
Punjab Kings hold their nerve to beat Rajasthan Royals by 5 runs at Barsapara
Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 5 runs at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on 5 April 2023 in the IPL. Batting first, Punjab posted 197/5. A total built on a blistering powerplay of 63 runs without loss and sustained middle-overs pressure that yielded 89 runs for two wickets. Rajasthan Royals made a decent fist of the chase but lost three wickets inside the first six overs for 57 runs, and that early damage proved impossible to fully repair. They finished on 192/7, falling 5 runs short. NT Ellis, who returned 4/30 from his four overs, was named Player of the Match.
The result went against the grain of the head-to-head record. Rajasthan Royals lead the all-time series between these sides 17 wins to 12 across 30 IPL meetings, so Punjab's victory here was a welcome change of fortunes for their supporters. Both sides had won their previous IPL outing in 2023 coming into this game, which gave the fixture a competitive edge from the outset.
Rajasthan's death-overs batting of 68 runs for just one wicket showed real character and brought them close. But Punjab's bowlers, led by Ellis, managed the pressure well enough to see it through.
Pitch report & venue insights
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati — 25-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2017–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
25
T20 matches hosted
188
Avg 1st-innings score
164
Avg 2nd-innings score
48%
Chase success rate
48
Avg powerplay runs
76%
Toss-field rate
Head-to-head record
Rajasthan Royals lead the series 17–12 from 30 completed matches
Seasons 2007–2025
Series standing
Punjab Kings
Rajasthan Royals30
Total meetings
0
No results
10
In last 10
Recent encounters
Last 102025PBKS won by 10 runs
2025RR won by 50 runs
2024PBKS won by 5 wickets
2024RR won by 3 wickets
2023RR won by 4 wickets
2023PBKS won by 5 runs
2022RR won by 6 wickets
2021RR won by 2 runs
2021PBKS won by 4 runs
2020RR won by 7 wickets
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Punjab Kings post 197/5 on a high-scoring surface
Punjab Kings put on 197/5, well above Barsapara's average first-innings score of 188 across 25 matches. Their powerplay of 63 runs without loss set the platform, and the middle overs added a further 89 runs for two wickets, giving the lower order a target worth defending.
Angle 02
NT Ellis the difference at the death
Angle 03
Rajasthan's chase undone by a costly powerplay
Angle 04
Toss advantage didn't translate for Rajasthan
Angle 05
A margin that flatters the losing side
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may carry more value than outright result lines given how closely these two sides perform against each other historically.
- At a venue where teams batting first average 188 but chasing sides succeed only 46 per cent of the time, first-innings total markets could be more predictable than the match result.
- Barsapara's powerplay average of 47 runs is noticeably below what both teams actually posted in this fixture, which suggests death-overs markets and total-runs lines may drift significantly depending on how the first six overs unfold.
- Player of the Match markets are often wide open in tight matches like this one; NT Ellis was not necessarily the pre-match favourite for that award but ended up the decisive performer.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
Who won the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL match on 5 April 2023?
Punjab Kings won by 5 runs. They posted 197/5 batting first at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, and Rajasthan Royals fell short on 192/7 despite a strong late chase.
Who was the Player of the Match in Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals on 5 April 2023?
NT Ellis of Punjab Kings was named Player of the Match. He took 4 wickets for 30 runs from his four overs, proving the key bowling performer in a tightly contested finish.
What is the head-to-head record between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals?
Across 30 IPL meetings, Rajasthan Royals lead the head-to-head record with 17 wins to Punjab Kings' 12. There have been no no-results in those 30 matches.
Where to watch Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals in the UK?
IPL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. Check the Sky Sports schedule for confirmed UK start times, which typically fall in the afternoon or early evening depending on the match slot.
What happened in the powerplay for both teams in this match?
Punjab Kings stormed through the powerplay without losing a wicket, scoring 63 runs. Rajasthan Royals had a much tougher start, losing 3 wickets for only 57 runs in their powerplay, which proved decisive in the 5-run defeat.
What is the Barsapara Cricket Stadium average score in T20 cricket?
Across 25 T20 matches at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, the average first-innings score is 188 and the average second-innings score is 164. Chasing sides have succeeded 46 per cent of the time, making the venue slightly favourable for teams batting first.
Explore more
Dig deeper into the season
Photo credits (2)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source
- Ravindra Jadeja — photo by SR Vlogs, CC BY 3.0 · source