Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals : As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumes after a week-long suspension, Punjab Kings face a tough challenge in their pursuit of a playoff berth. Ahead of their crucial match against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, assistant coach James Hopes has confirmed that overseas stars Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis will not be available for selection.
Punjab Kings currently sit third on the points table with 15 points from 11 matches and are on the cusp of securing a long-awaited playoff spot — something the franchise hasn’t achieved since their memorable run in 2014. However, their depth will be tested as they take the field without two experienced campaigners.
Overseas Absentees Ahead of the Clash
Speaking to the media before the clash in Jaipur, Hopes provided clarity on the squad situation.
“We do not have a complete squad. Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis won’t be available for this match, but we expect them to join us early next week,” said Hopes. “Marco Jansen has arrived and has been training in Dubai before joining us. We’re confident in our squad depth, with players like Mitchell Owens stepping up.”
The absence of Stoinis and Inglis stems from the logistical shuffle caused by the brief tournament suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict. Several overseas players had returned home during the break, but Punjab managed to retain most of their core squad thanks to a crucial decision by head coach Ricky Ponting.
Ricky Ponting’s Timely Call
According to Hopes, the team was close to flying back to Australia, but Ponting convinced the group to stay back in India as there was optimism about a quick resumption.
“We were in Delhi and about to leave when the ceasefire was announced. Ricky made the call to stay, thinking the tournament might restart within days,” Hopes explained. “It turned out to be the right decision.”
The coaching staff — including Ponting, Hopes, and assistant coach Brad Haddin — remained in India, anticipating that returning home would create unnecessary travel fatigue with little time spent with their families.
“For me, returning to Australia and coming back again would’ve meant just 12 hours at home. That didn’t seem worth it,” Hopes added.
Confident Despite Key Absences
Despite the missing names, Hopes expressed faith in the team’s ability to perform under pressure. The Australian coach pointed out that Stoinis and Inglis have not been regular starters in every game, which gives other squad members a chance to shine.
“There have been several matches where Josh and Marcus weren’t in the XI. So we’re quite confident that the players we have can do the job,” he said.
Playoffs Within Reach
Punjab’s journey this season has been built on consistency, strong leadership, and impactful performances from both local and international players. With just three games left in the league stage, every point will be critical. A win against Rajasthan Royals could almost seal their spot in the playoffs and help them break the decade-long drought.
The Royals, on the other hand, will look to bounce back strongly and strengthen their own playoff position, making Saturday’s contest a high-stakes showdown.
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