Revealed: Why is Tushar Deshpande not playing today's match for RR against PBKS in IPL 2025?

In a huge blow for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the 29-year-old right-arm pacer Tushar Deshpande has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2025 match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

The 18th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 is currently underway between the Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on Saturday, April 5.

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Tushar Deshpande RULED OUT of the match vs PBKS due to injury

Speaking at the toss, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson said that they have a small injury in the camp as Tushar Deshpande will be missing the match against the Punjab Kings due to a niggle. The pacer was replaced by Yudhvir Singh in the playing XI of the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

"We have a small niggle for Tushar Deshpande, so he's out for today and Yudhvir comes in for him," the Rajasthan Royals skipper said at the toss.

In Rajasthan Royals' tournament opener, Tushar Deshpande bagged 3 wickets against Sunrisers before going wicketless against Kolkata Knight Riders. Tushar Deshpande was also wicketless in the previous outing for RR against Chennai Super Kings and he gave away 45 runs.

I could feel what the coaches would be going through - Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson, at the toss, also talked about playing as an impact substitute in the first few matches due to an injury and said that he was feeling a bit restless and helpless seeing his team struggle in the middle.

"Pretty happy to bat first and put on a decent total. (On playing as an impact sub earlier) I could feel what the coaches would be going through, a bit restless and helpless," he said.

"But excited to be back now. It is a new team and team management, we have got to know each other now and it takes a bit of time. We are geling better now, last game we pretty much had the perfect game," he added.

PBKS named favorites for the match against RR

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo ahead of the PBKS vs RR match, the former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that the Shreyas Iyer-led team would be favorites to win the match because they have a better team on paper.

"On paper, as well as performances-wise, Punjab seems to be the better team. Their bowling, as far as RR is concerned, hinges a lot around Archer giving them the early inroads. Hasaranga did come back and put up a performance in the previous game. Theekshana not still at his best. So quite a few concerns for RR, and hence I believe Punjab is slightly ahead in this one," the former India coach said.

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