IPL 2026 Match 40: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Preview, Head-to-Head Records, and Playing 11
The 40th match of IPL 2026 is set to feature a high-stakes encounter between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 28, 2026. This match promises to be an exciting clash as both teams look to secure crucial points in the tournament. The game will be held at Punjab’s home ground, providing them with a significant atmospheric advantage.
Match Details and Venue
The match is scheduled to take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. As the home ground for the Punjab Kings, the stadium is expected to be packed with local supporters. The game will commence at 7:30 PM IST.
Head-to-Head Performance
In the history of the IPL, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other 30 times. Rajasthan Royals currently hold the upper hand in their overall rivalry. Out of these 30 encounters, Rajasthan Royals have emerged victorious in 17 matches, while Punjab Kings have secured 13 wins.
Recent form also favors the Royals. In their last 10 meetings, Rajasthan has won 6 matches, whereas Punjab has managed to win 4. These statistics indicate that Rajasthan Royals have been the more dominant side in recent seasons.
| Total Matches | Rajasthan Royals Wins | Punjab Kings Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 17 | 13 |
Pitch Report: High Scoring and Small Boundaries
The pitch at the Mullanpur Stadium is expected to be balanced, though it slightly favors the batsmen. It has been noted for producing high-scoring matches recently. While the average ground score is 170, several recent games have seen teams crossing the 200-run mark. This is largely due to the relatively small boundary sizes, which average around 65 meters.
In terms of bowling, while it is a balanced surface, spinners may find some dominance here. Additionally, the dew factor is expected to play a significant role. Teams winning the toss are likely to opt for bowling first to capitalize on the conditions in the second innings.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing 11
Under the leadership of Captain Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings have a balanced squad featuring a mix of explosive openers and reliable bowlers. Nehal Wadhera is named as the impact player for the side.
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Priyansh Arya
- Mitchell Owen
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Marco Jansen
- Xavier Bartlett
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Impact Player: Nehal Wadhera
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted Playing 11
Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, feature a strong batting lineup and a potent bowling attack. Sandeep Sharma is expected to be utilized as the impact player for this fixture.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag (C)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Donovan Ferreira
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jofra Archer
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Brijesh Sharma
- Nandre Burger
- Impact Player: Sandeep Sharma
Conclusion
With Rajasthan Royals historically dominating the head-to-head record and Punjab Kings playing in front of their home crowd, Match 40 of IPL 2026 is set to be a thriller. The small boundaries at Mullanpur and the potential for a high-scoring game mean that fans can expect plenty of fireworks from the batsmen of both sides.