Punjab Kings ride into Match 40 on the back of IPL’s highest-ever successful run-chase, hunting down 265 against Delhi Capitals with Prabhsimran Singh’s blistering 76 off 26 and Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 71 off 36 sealing victory in 18.5 overs.
The table-toppers boast 6 wins from 7 matches and lead the standings with 13 points. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, sit 4th with 5 wins from 8 matches and 10 points after a heartbreaking loss to SRH despite Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s stunning 103 off 37 balls.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jofra Archer remain RR’s key threats. Match 40 takes place on April 28, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
PBKS vs RR Betting Odds
Punjab Kings enter as strong favourites thanks to their unbeaten home run and table-topping form. RR’s struggling campaign keeps the markets heavily skewed toward the hosts.
| Platform | PBKS Win Odds | PBKS Win % | RR Win Odds | RR Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.65 | 61% | 2.20 | 45% |
| Stake | 1.68 | 60% | 2.18 | 46% |
| 4RABET | 1.62 | 62% | 2.25 | 44% |
| BetVibe | 1.70 | 59% | 2.15 | 47% |
| Parimatch | 1.65 | 61% | 2.20 | 45% |
PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head Record
Rajasthan Royals lead the head-to-head 17-13 across 29 IPL meetings. However, PBKS have won 3 of the last 5 encounters as the rivalry has tilted recently.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals | 29 | 17 | 12 |
| Punjab Kings | 29 | 12 | 17 |
Last 5 Meetings
Recent meetings have produced contrasting results, with PBKS gaining momentum in the rivalry.
| Season | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Mullanpur | PBKS | 50 runs |
| IPL 2025 | Guwahati | RR | 6 wickets |
| IPL 2024 | Jaipur | PBKS | 5 wickets |
| IPL 2024 | Mullanpur | PBKS | 4 wickets |
| IPL 2023 | Jaipur | PBKS | 5 runs |
Sanju Samson historically led RR’s run charts in this fixture before his move to CSK, while KL Rahul (now at DC) topped PBKS lists. In the latest IPL 2025 Mullanpur encounter, Priyansh Arya’s explosive top-order start set up PBKS’s 50-run win. Furthermore, Yuzvendra Chahal returning to Punjab adds another dimension as he has bowled extensively against RR’s current core.
Mullanpur Weather Report
Warm and dry conditions expected at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium with no rain threat. Evening temperatures will cool gradually as dew arrives in the second innings.
| Weather Aspect | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24°C to 38°C |
| Humidity | 35% to 55% |
| Rain Chance | 0% (Minimal) |
| Wind Speed | 10 to 16 km/h |
| Conditions | Clear, warm evening |
| Dew Factor | Heavy in second innings |
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium Pitch Report
The Mullanpur surface has emerged as one of IPL 2026’s most batting-friendly venues. Heavy dew during the second innings makes chasing significantly easier under lights.
| Pitch Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Flat, batting-friendly |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 195-210 runs |
| Par Score | 200+ runs |
| Pace vs Spin | Pacers swing early, batters dominate later |
| Boundary Size | 65-70m (square), 73m (straight) |
| Toss Factor | Chasing preferred due to dew |
The pitch allows free-flowing strokeplay throughout the 20 overs. Moreover, dew makes the ball skid onto the bat from the 12th over onwards, neutralising spinners. Additionally, Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin needs early wickets before the dew sets in to remain effective.
Punjab Kings Probable Playing 11
PBKS are expected to field an unchanged XI after their record-breaking chase. Cooper Connolly is back from his back issue, with all four of Prabhsimran, Iyer, Arya, and Connolly having scored 200+ runs this season.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Priyansh Arya | Batter |
| Cooper Connolly | Batting All-Rounder |
| Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter |
| Shashank Singh | Batter |
| Marcus Stoinis | All-Rounder |
| Marco Jansen | All-Rounder |
| Xavier Bartlett | Bowler |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner |
Impact Player Options: Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod
Rajasthan Royals Probable Playing 11
RR are likely to retain the same XI from their SRH defeat. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking 103 off 37 (with 12 sixes, an IPL RR record) sits alongside Jadeja’s all-round form and Archer’s leading 13 wickets.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batter |
| Dhruv Jurel (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Riyan Parag (c) | All-Rounder |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Batter |
| Donovan Ferreira | Batter |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder |
| Jofra Archer | Bowler |
| Tushar Deshpande | Bowler |
| Nandre Burger | Bowler |
| Brijesh Sharma | Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Bishnoi, Ravi Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey
Match Prediction
Punjab Kings will extend their dominant home run with another commanding performance. Priyansh Arya’s strike rate of 248.23 alongside Shreyas Iyer’s 71* in the previous match makes PBKS’s top order untouchable.
RR counter with Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Orange Cap form and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s powerplay strokeplay. However, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience on a dew-affected surface gives PBKS the edge.
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Final Verdict
Punjab Kings will secure their sixth win of the season to consolidate their top position.
Expect Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya to set the tone in the powerplay while Chahal targets RR’s right-handed core in the middle overs.
Rajasthan need Suryavanshi to explode in the powerplay and Jofra Archer to break PBKS’s top order to stand any chance at Mullanpur.
Winner Prediction: Punjab Kings
Win Probability: 61%
