IPL 2026: 40th T20, PBKS vs RR Prediction: Who Will Win Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Toss & Dream11 Prediction?

The Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals prediction for the 40th T20 clash of IPL 2026 points towards a high-voltage encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Cricketwebs brings you expert analysis, form insights, and data-driven forecasts to help fans understand who holds the edge in this crucial mid-season fixture.

Punjab Kings enter as the only unbeaten side in IPL 2026, sitting atop the table with 13 points from seven matches, while Rajasthan Royals, with 10 points, are looking to rediscover their early-season rhythm after a recent dip in form. With PBKS boasting a record-breaking chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals and RR relying on explosive openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, this matchup promises tactical battles and boundary-filled entertainment.

Our comprehensive Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals prediction factors in pitch conditions at Mullanpur, player matchups, head-to-head records, and fantasy value to deliver the most reliable insight for fans and fantasy enthusiasts. Stay tuned as we break down every aspect of this blockbuster IPL 2026 fixture.

• Punjab Kings remain unbeaten in IPL 2026 with 6 wins and 1 no-result, leading the points table
• Prabhsimran Singh leads PBKS batting with 287 runs at a strike rate of 193 this season
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has smashed 357 runs for RR at a blistering strike rate of 235
• Yuzvendra Chahal holds an impressive record vs RR: 18 wickets in 14 games at economy 6.46
• Mullanpur’s average first-innings score is around 175; batting-friendly with short boundaries
• RR have won 17 of 30 head-to-head encounters, but PBKS hold momentum this season

Match Details

Parameter	Details
Match	Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 40
Tournament	Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026
Date	Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time	7:30 PM IST
Venue	Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Toss	To be decided
Broadcast	Star Sports Network, JioHotstar

Punjab Kings Preview

Punjab Kings arrive at this fixture as IPL 2026’s most formidable unit, remaining the only unbeaten side with six wins and one no-result from seven matches. Under Shreyas Iyer’s astute leadership, PBKS has blended explosive batting with smart bowling strategies to create a well-rounded squad capable of challenging for the title. Their recent record-breaking chase of 266 against Delhi Capitals—the highest successful run-chase in T20 history—showcased their fearless approach and batting depth.

The batting lineup has been exceptional. Opener Prabhsimran Singh leads the charge with 287 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 193, including three fifties. His aggressive intent in the powerplay sets the tone for PBKS’s high-scoring innings. Captain Shreyas Iyer has been equally impressive, amassing 279 runs at a strike rate of 186 with four fifties, averaging close to 70. His ability to anchor while accelerating makes him indispensable.

Priyansh Arya has emerged as a game-changer, scoring 254 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 249. His recent 93 off 37 balls against LSG and 43 off 17 vs DC highlight his match-winning potential. Cooper Connolly provides stability with 240 runs at 164.38 strike rate, while the lower order—Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis—ensures momentum never drops.

Bowling-wise, PBKS relies on Arshdeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak, who have claimed 13 wickets between them. Arshdeep’s death-bowling mastery and Vyshak’s variations make them lethal in pressure phases. Marco Jansen (economy 8.95) and Xavier Bartlett add pace and bounce, while Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience (4 wickets) offers control in middle overs against RR’s aggressive top order.

Fielding improvements have been notable, though PBKS has dropped 12 catches this season—a concern against RR’s explosive batting. Tactically, PBKS excels in powerplay aggression and chase scenarios, having successfully chased 200+ targets eleven times in IPL history.

One area for refinement is containing elite openers. RR’s Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi can dominate early, so PBKS must execute disciplined powerplay bowling. Additionally, managing Chahal’s overs against left-handers requires smart match-ups.

Overall, Punjab Kings’ confidence, batting firepower, and unbeaten momentum make them strong favorites. If Prabhsimran and Iyer provide strong starts, and Arshdeep delivers early breakthroughs, PBKS can extend their winning streak. Expect them to leverage their chase expertise and all-round balance to overcome RR at their home ground in Mullanpur.

Rajasthan Royals Preview

Rajasthan Royals enter this clash seeking to rediscover their early-season form after a mixed run in IPL 2026. Starting with four consecutive wins, RR climbed to second place, but recent performances have dipped—with just one win in their last four outings. Sitting fourth with 10 points and an NRR of 0.602, the Royals are under pressure to stabilize their campaign against an unbeaten Punjab Kings side.

The batting unit relies heavily on explosive openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi has been phenomenal, scoring 357 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 235, including a blistering 103 off 37 balls against SRH. His ability to dominate powerplay bowling makes him RR’s most dangerous asset. Jaiswal complements him with 255 runs at 153.61 strike rate, offering fluency and consistency against pace.

Dhruv Jurel provides middle-order stability with 232 runs at 164 strike rate, but concerns arise thereafter. Captain Riyan Parag has struggled with just 88 runs at 12.57 average, while Shimron Hetmyer’s inconsistency leaves RR vulnerable in death overs. Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja offer late fireworks, but the lack of a dedicated finisher at 200+ strike rate remains a tactical gap.

Bowling-wise, Jofra Archer leads the attack with 13 wickets, using raw pace and bounce to trouble batters early. Nandre Burger (8 wickets) provides support with swing and variations. Ravi Bishnoi has handled spin duties well with 11 wickets, though his economy of 9.54 suggests room for tighter control. Jadeja’s variations (economy 8.00) offer crucial middle-over containment.

Fielding has been a RR strength—they’ve dropped just six catches this season, boasting an 87.5% success rate, second-best in IPL 2026. This discipline can convert half-chances into wickets against PBKS’s aggressive batting.

Tactically, RR must address their over-reliance on the top three. If Jaiswal or Sooryavanshi fall early, the middle order must show resilience. Additionally, containing PBKS’s powerplay aggression requires disciplined line-and-length bowling from Archer and Burger.

One concern is adapting to Mullanpur’s conditions. While RR’s powerplay bowling has been exceptional (20 wickets at 22.0 average), PBKS’s batting depth can exploit any lapse. If Sandeep Sharma returns from injury, his middle-over expertise could bolster RR’s attack.

For Rajasthan to win, Sooryavanshi must fire, Archer needs early breakthroughs, and the middle order must contribute consistently. While PBKS holds momentum, RR’s talent and experience in pressure situations cannot be underestimated. Expect a high-scoring thriller where execution under pressure decides the outcome.

Also Check For More: Indian Premier League Prediction

Team Squad

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Nehal Wadhera, Suryansh Shedge, Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Ben Dwarshuis, Praveen Dubey, Lockie Ferguson, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Vishal Nishad.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Kuldeep Sen, Sushant Mishra, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Kwena Maphaka, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja, Aman Rao Perala.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings	Rajasthan Royals
Prabhsimran Singh (WK)	Yashasvi Jaiswal
Priyansh Arya	Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Cooper Connolly	Dhruv Jurel (WK)
Shreyas Iyer (C)	Riyan Parag (C)
Shashank Singh	Shimron Hetmyer
Nehal Wadhera	Donovan Ferreira
Marcus Stoinis	Ravindra Jadeja
Marco Jansen	Jofra Archer
Xavier Bartlett	Sandeep Sharma
Arshdeep Singh	Nandre Burger
Yuzvendra Chahal	Brijesh Sharma
Impact: Vijaykumar Vyshak	Impact: Ravi Bishnoi

Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction

Player	Role	Team
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi	Batter	RR
Prabhsimran Singh	WK-Batter	PBKS
Shreyas Iyer	Batter	PBKS
Yashasvi Jaiswal	Batter	RR
Marcus Stoinis	All-rounder	PBKS
Ravindra Jadeja	All-rounder	RR
Arshdeep Singh	Bowler	PBKS
Jofra Archer	Bowler	RR
Yuzvendra Chahal	Bowler	PBKS
Ravi Bishnoi	Bowler	RR
Priyansh Arya	Batter	PBKS

This fantasy XI balances explosive batting with wicket-taking bowling options. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh are must-picks given their phenomenal form—Sooryavanshi’s 357 runs at 235 SR and Prabhsimran’s 287 runs at 193 SR make them high-point generators. Shreyas Iyer’s consistency (279 runs, 4 fifties) adds reliability, while Yashasvi Jaiswal provides RR’s top-order firepower.

Marcus Stoinis offers all-round value with batting depth and handy overs. Ravindra Jadeja contributes with bat, ball, and fielding points. Arshdeep Singh and Jofra Archer are premium pace picks for powerplay and death-bowling wickets.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s record vs RR (18 wickets at 6.46 economy) makes him a strategic spin pick. Ravi Bishnoi adds middle-over control, while Priyansh Arya is a differential pick for his explosive strike rate (249). This combination maximizes points across batting, bowling, and fielding categories.

Prioritize players likely to bat in top 4 or bowl full quotas. Monitor toss updates—if PBKS bats first, their top order gains extra value; if RR chases, Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal become crucial. Avoid overloading on one team to mitigate risk. This balanced squad targets 850+ fantasy points, ideal for grand leagues and head-to-head contests.

Fantasy Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Captain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) – Explosive form, 357 runs at 235 SR, powerplay dominator
Vice-Captain: Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS) – Consistent run-scorer, 287 runs at 193 SR, match-winner

Avoid: Riyan Parag (RR) – Poor form: 88 runs at 12.57 average, low fantasy returns
Avoid: Nehal Wadhera (PBKS) – Lowest SR (127) in PBKS batting, limited impact role

Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts

Favourite Team: Why Punjab Kings?

Punjab Kings are the clear favorites for this encounter. Their unbeaten record in IPL 2026—six wins from seven matches—reflects exceptional consistency and momentum. The batting lineup, led by Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer, has demonstrated the ability to chase or set any total, including the record 266-run chase. Arshdeep Singh’s death-bowling mastery and Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience against RR add tactical depth. While Rajasthan possesses explosive openers, their recent form dip and middle-order fragility raise concerns.

At Mullanpur, where PBKS enjoys home advantage and crowd support, conditions favor their aggressive batting style. Historically, RR leads head-to-head (17-13), but PBKS’s current form and confidence tilt the balance. Unless RR’s top order fires collectively and their bowlers execute under pressure, Punjab’s all-round strength should prevail. Expect PBKS to leverage their chase expertise and disciplined bowling to extend their unbeaten run.

Punjab Kings T20 History

Stat	Value
Total Matches	270
Won	125
Lost	139
No Result	2
Tied	4

PBKS holds a near-even T20 record with notable chasing prowess, having successfully chased 200+ targets eleven times in IPL history.

Rajasthan Royals T20 History

Stat	Value
Total Matches	244
Won	119
Lost	118
No Result	3
Tied	4

RR boasts a balanced T20 record with strong playoff appearances, known for explosive batting and strategic squad building in recent seasons.

PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head Stats

Stat	Value
Total Matches	30
Punjab Kings Wins	13
Rajasthan Royals Wins	17
No Result	0

Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge in this rivalry with 17 wins from 30 encounters. However, Punjab Kings’ current unbeaten form in IPL 2026 and record-breaking chasing ability add intrigue. Recent meetings have been high-scoring thrillers, with both teams trading victories. In neutral conditions at Mullanpur, PBKS’s momentum and batting depth could overcome RR’s historical advantage.

Pitch Report

The Mullanpur pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium typically favors batsmen with true bounce and short boundaries enabling free scoring. The average first-innings score hovers around 175, but recent games have seen totals exceed 200. Spinners get slight assistance in middle overs, while pacers can exploit early swing. Dew in the second innings may hinder bowlers, making chasing advantageous. Teams winning the toss often prefer to field first to leverage dew and chase under lights. Expect a high-scoring contest where batting depth and death-bowling execution will decide the outcome. Batters who handle pace and spin equally well will thrive on this surface.

Weather Report

Parameter	Forecast
Temperature	28°C – 35°C
Conditions	Clear Sky
Humidity	40%
Wind Speed	15 km/h
Rain Probability	5%
Dew Factor	Moderate (Evening)

Chandigarh weather remains warm with clear skies. Minimal rain risk ensures uninterrupted play, though moderate dew in evening hours may assist chasing teams. Players should manage hydration and grip in dry conditions.

Broadcast Details

The PBKS vs RR IPL 2026 clash will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network across India, with simultaneous streaming on JioHotstar. International viewers can check local sports channels or official IPL streaming partners. Pre-match coverage begins at 6:30 PM IST, featuring expert analysis and fantasy tips. Toss update at 7:00 PM, first ball at 7:30 PM IST.

Toss Prediction

Punjab Kings are predicted to win the toss and opt to field first. Historical data shows chasing teams enjoy slight advantage at Mullanpur due to dew factor in evening games. PBKS’s strong batting lineup is well-suited for a chase. If RR wins the toss, they may also prefer to field, trusting Archer and Burger to restrict PBKS early.

Powerplay Score Prediction

Scenario	Predicted Score	Reason
PBKS Batting First	58-68/1	Aggressive openers Prabhsimran & Priyansh; RR’s pace attack may strike early
RR Batting First	55-65/1	Sooryavanshi & Jaiswal can dominate, but Arshdeep’s swing may trouble them

Score Prediction

Scenario	Predicted Score	Reason
PBKS Batting First	185-195	Strong top-order depth; RR’s bowling inconsistencies in death overs
RR Batting First	175-185	Sooryavanshi’s form vs PBKS’s disciplined bowling; middle-order vulnerability

Probable Top Batsman & Bowler

Top Batsman Pick: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) – His 357 runs at a blistering 235 strike rate showcase explosive intent. Sooryavanshi excels against pace in powerplay and can dominate any attack. On Mullanpur’s batting-friendly track, his square cuts and lofted shots will find gaps consistently.
Top Bowler Pick: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – With exceptional death-bowling skills and 13 wickets shared with Vyshak, Arshdeep’s yorkers and variations make him lethal. His experience in high-pressure games and ability to exploit RR’s aggressive top order give him the edge. If conditions offer early moisture, his out-swing could trigger a collapse. Both picks offer high fantasy point potential and match-winning influence.

Winning Chances: Why & Why Not

Team	Winning Chance	Why?	Why Not?
Punjab Kings	68%	Unbeaten form, batting firepower, home advantage, Chahal’s record vs RR	Occasional fielding lapses; pressure of maintaining unbeaten streak
Rajasthan Royals	32%	Sooryavanshi’s brilliance, Archer’s pace, head-to-head edge	Middle-order fragility, recent form dip, over-reliance on top order

Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.

FAQ – PBKS vs RR 40th T20

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