Punjab Kings (PBKS), the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026 with 13 points from 7 matches (W6, NR1), host a struggling Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 40 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST. PBKS are 1st, while RR have dropped to 4th (W5, L3) after losing 3 of their last 4 matches.
PBKS chased down 265 against DC in their last match, a record T20 chase powered by Shreyas Iyer‘s 71* off 36. They are 3-0 at home with three 200+ totals at Mullanpur. Meanwhile, RR lost their last match despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi‘s century (103 off 37), as SRH chased down 228 with 9 balls to spare. The contrast is stark: PBKS defend and chase everything, while RR can’t protect even 228.
PBKS vs RR IPL 2026 Match 40: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 40, IPL 2026 |
| Teams | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals |
| Date | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| IPL 2026 Standings | PBKS: 1st (W6, NR1 = 13 pts) | RR: 4th (W5, L3 = 10 pts) |
RR lead the all-time H2H 17-13 across 30 IPL meetings. However, PBKS won the most recent encounter and are unbeaten this season. Additionally, the teams split their matches at Mullanpur (1-1), so home advantage is not decisive historically.
Season Stats Comparison: PBKS vs RR in IPL 2026
| Metric | PBKS | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Top Run-Scorer | Prabhsimran Singh (287 runs in 7 matches) | Sooryavanshi (418+ runs, SR 236.15) |
| Most Explosive | Priyansh Arya (254 runs, SR 249.02, 25 sixes) | Sooryavanshi (103 off 37 vs SRH) |
| Captain’s Form | Iyer (4 fifties in 6 inn; avg ~70; 71* off 36 vs DC) | Parag (81 runs in 8 inn, SR 117; struggling) |
| Key Concern | None (complete batting order firing) | Middle order (after openers dismissed) |
| Recent Highlight | Chased 265 vs DC (record T20 chase) | Lost despite 228 (SRH chased in 18.3 overs) |
PBKS‘s batting numbers are extraordinary. Prabhsimran Singh (287 runs) and Priyansh Arya (254 runs, SR 249.02 with 25 sixes) form the most destructive opening pair in IPL 2026. Furthermore, captain Shreyas Iyer‘s 4 fifties in 6 innings at an average of nearly 70 makes PBKS’s top three virtually impossible to contain.
RR’s batting, in contrast, is top-heavy. Sooryavanshi (418+ runs, SR 236.15) and Jaiswal (223+ runs) carry the batting. However, once the openers depart, the middle order has stalled. Captain Riyan Parag‘s 81 runs at SR 117 in 8 innings is a major concern. That middle-order collapse was evident against SRH when RR posted 228 but still lost.
Bowling Stats: IPL 2026 Season Comparison
| Metric | PBKS | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Spinner | Chahal (IPL all-time leading wicket-taker) | Bishnoi (9+ wkts; may be on bench) |
| Lead Pacer | Arshdeep Singh (7 wickets; death-overs) | Archer (8+ wkts; first-ball wkts in 3 of 4) |
| All-round Pace | Jansen + Bartlett + Vyshak (trio settled) | Burger + Tushar Deshpande + Brijesh |
| Death Specialist | Arshdeep (improved from early-season struggles) | Archer (but expensive recently) |
Jofra Archer‘s first-ball wickets in 3 of his last 4 IPL games make him RR’s most dangerous powerplay weapon. However, RR’s bowling has been leaky recently. They conceded 228 to SRH and couldn’t defend it. In contrast, PBKS have Chahal‘s experience, Jansen‘s left-arm variety, and Vyshak‘s consistent seam to form a balanced attack.
PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head Record in IPL
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Meetings | 30 |
| RR Wins | 17 |
| PBKS Wins | 13 |
| At Mullanpur (IPL 2026) | 1-1 (split) |
| Last 5 Meetings | RR 3, PBKS 2 |
| Most Recent (IPL 2026) | PBKS won by 10 runs (219/5 vs 209/7) |
RR lead the all-time H2H 17-13. However, PBKS won the most recent encounter this season by 10 runs. At Mullanpur, the record is split 1-1. Moreover, the Mullanpur surface has consistently produced 200+ totals this season, which suits PBKS’s aggressive batting style.
Mullanpur Pitch Report for PBKS vs RR
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Flat; batting-friendly; short boundaries |
| Avg 1st Innings (IPL 2026) | 211 (3 matches; four 200+ totals; highest 254) |
| Win Bat First % (IPL 2026) | 60% (bat first favoured) |
| Highest Total | 254/7 by PBKS (vs LSG) |
| Highest Successful Chase | 219/5 by PBKS |
| Dew Factor | Expected later; over 90% of IPL 2026 teams chose to chase |
| Spinner Assistance | Some grip in middle overs; Chahal/Bishnoi effective |
Mullanpur has been one of IPL 2026’s highest-scoring venues. The average first-innings score of 211 across 3 matches, with 4 out of 6 innings crossing 200, makes it a batter’s paradise. However, batting first has won 60% of matches here, which goes against the general IPL trend of chasing dominance. PBKS posted 254/7 against LSG at this ground, the highest total at the venue.
PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs RR
PBKS have named the same XI for Matches 24, 29, and 35. Expect no changes against RR.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya | Opener |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | No. 3 Batter |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Middle Order / Captain |
| 5 | Shashank Singh | Middle Order |
| 6 | Marcus Stoinis | Pace All-rounder |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | Pace All-rounder |
| 8 | Xavier Bartlett | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Leg-spinner |
Impact Player Options: Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Singh
PBKS’s Powerplay Dominance: 116-0 and 105-0 in Last Two Matches
PBKS posted powerplay stands of 116-0 (vs DC) and 105-0 (vs SRH chase) in their last two matches. That is an extraordinary level of consistency from Prabhsimran and Arya. Against RR’s new-ball pair of Archer and Burger, this powerplay battle will define the match.
Iyer’s Captain’s Knock: 71* off 36 to Chase 265
Shreyas Iyer‘s unbeaten 71 off 36 against DC converted a 14% win probability into a successful 265-run chase. That was the highest successful T20 chase in IPL history. His 4 fifties in 6 innings at an average of nearly 70 make him the form batter of the tournament alongside Kohli. If Iyer fires tonight, RR’s bowling faces an impossible task.
RR Predicted Playing XI vs PBKS
RR brought Tushar Deshpande in for Ravi Bishnoi in their last match at Jaipur. They may retain that change for Mullanpur’s pace-friendly surface, with Bishnoi as impact player.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opener |
| 3 | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | No. 3 / Wicketkeeper |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (c) | Middle Order / Captain |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Finisher |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Tushar Deshpande | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Nandre Burger | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Brijesh Sharma | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey
Sooryavanshi’s Century Wasn’t Enough: RR’s Bowling Problem
Sooryavanshi‘s 103 off 37 against SRH was one of IPL 2026’s greatest individual innings. Yet RR still lost because SRH chased down 228 with 9 balls remaining. That result highlights RR’s biggest problem: their bowling cannot defend totals. Additionally, after the openers fell in subsequent matches, the middle order (Parag 81 runs in 8 innings at SR 117) has failed to compensate.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Here are the Key Players Battles to watch out for:
Jofra Archer vs PBKS’s Opening Pair
Archer‘s first-ball wickets in 3 of his last 4 IPL games make this the defining powerplay battle. Against Arya‘s SR 249.02 and Prabhsimran‘s 287 runs, Archer needs early breakthroughs. If PBKS survive Archer’s spell, they will post 220+. However, Archer dismissed Shreyas Iyer at this venue in IPL 2025 with a 148.6 kph delivery.
Sooryavanshi vs Chahal
Sooryavanshi‘s SR of 236.15 against Chahal‘s all-time IPL wicket-taking record creates a fascinating battle. Chahal’s leg-spin can trouble left-handers in the middle overs, while Sooryavanshi’s power can clear any boundary. If Chahal dismisses Sooryavanshi early, RR’s scoring rate drops significantly.
Iyer vs Jadeja in the Middle Overs
Iyer‘s avg of ~70 with 4 fifties in 6 innings against Jadeja‘s left-arm spin is the middle-overs highlight duel. Iyer has historically been vulnerable to quality spin, while Jadeja’s accuracy can restrict scoring. This battle between overs 7-15 could determine whether PBKS score 200 or 230.
PBKS vs RR IPL 2026 Match 40: Match Prediction
Punjab Kings are strong favourites at home. Three factors support this prediction.
Why PBKS Will Extend Their Unbeaten Run
First, they are 3-0 at Mullanpur with three 200+ totals. Their understanding of local conditions (bounce, dew, wind patterns) gives them a massive advantage over visiting sides.
Second, their batting is the best in IPL 2026. Prabhsimran (287 runs), Arya (254 runs, SR 249.02, 25 sixes), and Iyer (4 fifties, avg ~70) make PBKS’s top three virtually impossible to contain. Additionally, they chased down 265, which proves no total is safe against them.
Third, RR’s form has collapsed. After winning their first 4 matches, RR have lost 3 of 4 since. Their bowling couldn’t defend 228 (vs SRH) and their middle order (Parag 81 runs in 8 innings) has been their Achilles heel.
Can RR Pull Off an Upset?
RR’s best chance lies in Archer‘s first-ball magic and Sooryavanshi‘s batting. If Archer removes PBKS’s openers inside the powerplay, the match opens up. Furthermore, Sooryavanshi’s SR of 236.15 means RR can always outscore the opposition if their bowling holds.
However, RR’s middle-order fragility (Parag SR 117, Hetmyer inconsistent) and inability to defend totals make them vulnerable at a high-scoring venue like Mullanpur.
Toss Prediction: Over 90% of IPL 2026 matches have seen teams choose to chase. However, batting first has won 60% at Mullanpur this season, so either option is viable. Both captains will likely prefer bowling first for the dew advantage.
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Final Verdict
Match 40 of IPL 2026 is table-toppers vs a faltering side. PBKS are unbeaten, 3-0 at home, and have chased down 265 in their last match. RR have lost 3 of 4 and can’t defend 228. The gap in bowling quality and middle-order consistency makes PBKS heavy favourites.
For RR, Sooryavanshi’s genius and Archer’s pace are their only realistic pathways to an upset. If both deliver, this becomes competitive. If either fails, PBKS extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 8 matches.
