IPL 2025 effectively resumed its normal operations on 18th May, after a temporary halt due to external factors. After the garden city - Bengaluru's heavy and incessant downpour washed out the previous evening's clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), dampening the renewed spirits of the fans, the league got its restart at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the pink city of Jaipur. It was a day game between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), with a high-scoring affair on the cards, at one of IPL's few dimensionally long grounds. 

Rajasthan had their exit fate locked in before the pause, while Punjab was still in contention for a playoff berth. Having opted to bat after calling it right at the toss, Shreyas Iyer's men scored a mammoth 219 after losing five batters, in their full quota of 20 overs. The protagonists of setting up this gigantic total were Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh, scoring 70 and 59 runs respectively. The Kings have been excellent this term and have clicked as a unit, something rarely said about them, and then it was up to their reputed bowlers to defend those runs on the board. 

The chase was on, and it was palpable from the start. As they are known for, the Royals' openers were at their intrinsically explosive best. The Indian test opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and his partner, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, began their innings with a bang. They went bonkers and smashed the bowling attack of the Punjab Kings to all corners of the ground, on their way towards setting a record for the current season. It was Jaiswal who took the lead and was shortly joined by the 14-year-old cricket prodigy in Vaibhav. Every ball is an event in T20 cricket, but it was more than just that when those two batted sensationally.

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There was a long phase in their innings when none of them ran for a run or two, and instead went about their business dealing in just boundaries. Little did they know that they were on course towards setting a new benchmark this season. It took both of them just 17 balls or 2.5 overs to cross 50 runs and eventually make it the fastest team fifty in IPL 2025. This was also the second fastest team fifty for RR in all IPL after their 2.4 overs vs KKR at the Eden Gardens in 2023. When the record was set, Yashasvi was on 34 off 11 and Vaibhav on 16 off 6. Both remained unbeaten on reaching that landmark.

The Royals, however, went on to lose the game by 10 runs. After their openers got out, only Dhruv Jurel kept them in the hunt with a gritty knock of 53 runs, but without any substantial support from the other middle-order batters. As has been the case this season, RR failed to capitalise on a beast of a start and missed out on closing in the game, affirming pity on their subdue position in the points table this year. 

RR SCORED THE FASTEST TEAM FIFTY OF IPL 2025 - 51/0 IN 2.5 OVERS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/po5AleYXX1

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 18, 2025

50 up in just 2.5 overs 🔥🔥

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi are on the move... #RRvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/70o5g6em6w

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 18, 2025

A look at the second and third fastest team half-centuries of IPL 2025: 

Punjab Kings

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) were up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the latter's backyard on Saturday, 12th April. Opting to bat first on a belter of a pitch, the Kings' opening pair Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, in an insane display of batting, smashed 50 runs in just three overs. They made Mohammad Shami and the Hyderabad Skipper Pat Cummins look like ordinary bowlers, and hit them for several runs, on their way towards amassing a half-century for their team. PBKS set a target of 246 for SRH, which was unbelievably chased down with nine balls to spare by the home team. Abhishek Sharma made light work of the chase and lit up the Hyderabad sky, striking 141 runs and taking his team home.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns against the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Thursday, 10th April in Bengaluru. Been sent to bat by DC, the RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli took on Mitchell Starc and Axar Patel, and in great fashion. Salt took charge and struck boundaries, smashing the Delhi bowlers to all parts of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Englishman was well complemented by Virat, and the team reached fifty in exactly three overs. RCB, however, lost their way in the middle and could manage only 163 runs in their 20 overs. The target was comprehensively chased down by DC, courtesy of KL Rahul's gritty and unbeaten knock of 93 runs.

Rajasthan Royals' Home Ground - Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur

The inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals have been using Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur as their home venue since the first edition of the tournament. The venue is once again ready to host the IPL 2025, as Sawai Mansingh Stadium will host five out of seven home games of Rajasthan Royals. 

Recent matches played by RR at Sawai Mansingh Stadium

• IPL 2024 League Match: RR vs MI - Hosts Rajasthan Royals won by 9 wickets

• IPL 2024 League Match: RR vs GT - Gujarat Titans won by 3 wickets

• IPL 2024 League Match: RR vs RCB - Hosts Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets

Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2025 Home Matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

How to Buy Tickets for RR Matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur

(All the following information about IPL 2025 tickets is only expected. The actual information will be updated once the official statements)

Online Booking:

• Available on BookMyShow, PayTM Insider, and the Rajasthan Royals official website.
• Select your match, choose your seats, and make the payment.

Offline Purchase:

• Offline tickets may be available at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium box office and selected retail outlets.

Ticket Prices (Estimated):

• INR 500-900 (General Seats)
• INR 1000-3000 (Mid-Range Seats)
• INR 4000-15000 (Premium Seats)
• INR 19000 (VIP Seats) 

In the high-octane arena of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where cricket not only captivates millions but also moves massive sums of money, the threat of corruption looms large. The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the game. So far, in IPL 2024, their vigilance has been tested with incidents in Mumbai and Jaipur, highlighting the constant battle against corrupt elements.

Recent Incidents and Immediate Action

The ACU’s proactive approach was clearly demonstrated during two IPL matches involving the Rajasthan Royals. The first incident occurred during a home game against the Delhi Capitals on March 28 in Jaipur, where two individuals were apprehended from a corporate box and handed over to local police. Days later, a similar scenario unfolded in Mumbai during the MI-RR game on April 1. Suspects were escorted out of the MCA President’s Box at the Wankhede Stadium and handed over to the authorities.

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Detailed Examination of Incidents

In Jaipur, the swift action by the ACU led to the lodging of FIRs against the suspects. The intervention highlighted the unit’s readiness to combat corruption with stringent measures.

Conversely, the Mumbai case took an unexpected turn when the two individuals were released after investigations revealed a possible case of mistaken identity, underscoring the complexities faced in real-time surveillance and action.

According to a Marine Drive Police Station officer, the two individuals were let go since “nothing untoward was found on their electronic devices”.

Operational Tactics of the ACU

The ACU leverages advanced technology and close collaborations with local law enforcement to monitor activities around the matches. By scrutinizing CCTV and live TV footage, they aim to intercept corrupt practices even before they manifest fully.

These incidents cast a spotlight on the vital importance of maintaining vigilance to preserve the spirit and integrity of cricket. While the ACU’s actions reassure players and stakeholders, they also remind fans of the ongoing vigilance required to protect the sport they love.

Challenges in Upholding Integrity

Identifying genuine threats from false alarms presents a significant challenge. The ACU’s tasks are compounded by the need to act swiftly yet judiciously to avoid tarnishing reputations based on incorrect information.

The BCCI official, on condition of anonymity, stressed that the ACU, with the support of the BCCI machinery, is “doing its best to keep corrupt elements away from the IPL.”