Mohali, APRIL 6: — The Indian Premier League returned to the PCA Mullanpur stadium on Saturday with a burst of colour, music, and crowd frenzy as Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosted Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their opening home game.
Excited fans poured into the stands, dancing to Punjabi beats with every boundary. Singer Jasmine Sandlas lit up the pre-match show with her live performance, and PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta added glamour by waving to the crowd.
Newly installed canopies dazzled with light shows during the innings break, adding to the festive atmosphere. However, traffic congestion on narrow roads delayed fan entry, with many reaching only by the 10th over of RR’s innings.
Despite the high energy, the home crowd’s hopes were dashed as RR clinched a 50-run win. Yashasvi Jaiswal struck 67 off 45 balls and Riyan Parag added 43* off 25 to help RR post 205/4. PBKS, in reply, managed 155/9, with Nehal Wadhera’s 62-run effort going in vain.
Fans expressed both passion and frustration. “I’ve been supporting PBKS since the first season,” said Shivani Verma, who came wearing the team’s jersey. Another fan lamented the lack of parking and poor road access to the stadium.
PBKS next face Chennai Super Kings on April 8, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders on April 15 and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 20—all at the Mullanpur venue.
Read More: PBKS Return Home With Winning Momentum, Face RR in Mohali
