Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis available – will they get a game?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will walk into their penultimate league match of IPL 2025 with one goal: to stay in the race for a top-two finish. They were on course to post a mammoth total against Delhi Capitals (DC) earlier this month when their fixture was abruptly halted. Now, with the rematch set for Jaipur, the Kings have a chance to make that momentum count – if they can channel it under very different circumstances.

Conditions in Jaipur won’t be as free-flowing as they were in Dharamsala, but PBKS’ deep batting unit and power-packed middle order still make them formidable. In their previous game, PBKS recorded a superb 219/5 at the very same ground.

Aussies return – Selection Dilemma for PBKS

The return of Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis gives PBKS a timely boost but also raises selection headaches. Stoinis and Inglis are match-winners, and with PBKS needing to win big and maintain net run rate, it’s hard to see them benched.

Inglis is expected to slot straight back into the playing XI after Mitchell Owen’s forgettable debut against the Rajasthan Royals. The young Australian couldn’t justify his promotion to No. 3, departing for a two-ball duck and offering little to justify his retention, especially with a proven player, Inglis, available again.

Stoinis’ case is more nuanced. While PBKS has benefited from Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-around value, Stoinis brings pedigree and IPL experience. His presence adds depth, but the decision could come down to team balance. If PBKS opt to include Inglis and Stoinis, it could mean either Omarzai or Xavier Bartlett misses out, or that PBKS go spin-light by leaving out Harpreet Brar.

With Jaipur surfaces skidding low and aiding cutters more than spin, that’s not out of the question. Harpreet Brar has been a revelation against left-handed batters, and that’s coming from a left-arm spinner himself! He’s snared four wickets in just 30 balls, averaging a stellar 11 runs per wicket, with an impressive 40% of his deliveries being dots.

PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs DC