Punjab Kings (PBKS) will field Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya, and Arshdeep Singh, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) rely on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jofra Archer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal in Match 40 of IPL 2026 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Currently, PBKS lead the table with six straight completed wins and remain unbeaten, whereas RR sit 5th after losing to SRH despite Sooryavanshi’s 103 off 37 balls. Although RR’s batting firepower is undeniable, their bowling collapsed under pressure in their last two games, and therefore PBKS hold the clear advantage heading into this contest.
PBKS Playing 11 Today
Because PBKS chased down 265 against DC in their last game, they will stick with the same winning combination. Accordingly, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (76 runs vs DC) continue opening, since this duo has been the most explosive opening pair in IPL 2026.
Furthermore, captain Shreyas Iyer played a match-winning 71 against DC, taking his season tally to 369 runs in 10 games. Additionally, Cooper Connolly adds Australian firepower at No. 3, while Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, and Shashank Singh form a deadly finishing unit.
On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh holds 17 wickets against RR in the all-time rivalry, which is the most by any bowler in this fixture. Moreover, Marco Jansen adds left-arm pace variety, while Xavier Bartlett provides Australian consistency. Besides that, Yuzvendra Chahal controls the middle overs with leg-spin, making PBKS’s attack well-rounded across all phases.
PBKS Predicted XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal.
RR Playing 11 Today
Since RR lost to SRH by 5 wickets despite posting 228, their bowling is the primary concern. Consequently, Tushar Deshpande replaces Sandeep Sharma, adding extra pace for the death overs.
Besides that, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 103 off 37 balls against SRH, taking his season tally to 454 runs in 10 games at a staggering strike rate. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal opens alongside Sooryavanshi, while Dhruv Jurel (51 vs SRH) keeps wickets and bats at No. 3.
In terms of bowling, Jofra Archer was the only bowler who performed well against SRH, taking 2/34 in four overs. Moreover, Ravi Bishnoi leads RR’s overall wicket charts, while Nandre Burger and Tushar Deshpande add pace depth. However, RR’s bowling has conceded 228 and 265 in their last two games, which highlights a systemic weakness.
RR Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Ravi Bishnoi.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
PBKS Impact Sub: Vijaykumar Vyshak
Since PBKS’s bowling looked out of form against DC, Vijaykumar Vyshak could come in as an extra seam option. Specifically, his ability to hit hard lengths on the Mullanpur surface also gives Iyer a backup option if Bartlett or Jansen have an off day with the ball.
RR Impact Sub: Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Similarly, Lhuan-dre Pretorius offers RR a power-hitting option in the middle order. Because RR’s top three contribute most of the runs, Pretorius’s ability to accelerate in the death overs also addresses their finishing concerns if the chase demands quick runs late.
Key Players to Watch in Match 40
Firstly, the battle between Arshdeep Singh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the powerplay will be the headline duel, since Arshdeep holds 17 wickets against RR and Sooryavanshi is coming off a century. Similarly, Yuzvendra Chahal versus Shimron Hetmyer in the middle overs promises a spin-versus-power contest that could swing the game.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | Captain / Batter | 369 runs in 10 games; 71 vs DC; three consecutive fifties earlier |
| Priyansh Arya | PBKS | Opener | Most explosive powerplay batter; SR 248 in PP; boundary every 2 balls |
| Arshdeep Singh | PBKS | Pacer | 17 wickets vs RR (most in rivalry); best 5/32; 100+ IPL wickets |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | PBKS | Leg-spinner | First bowler to 200 IPL wickets; middle-overs specialist |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | Opener | 103 off 37 balls vs SRH; 454 runs in 10 games; 15-year-old sensation |
| Jofra Archer | RR | Pace Spearhead | 2/34 vs SRH; only RR bowler to perform in last game; 145 kmph |
| Ravindra Jadeja | RR | All-rounder | Batting and bowling depth; experienced campaigner; crucial at No. 7 |
Head-to-Head Record: PBKS vs RR
Across 30 IPL meetings, RR hold a 17-13 lead over PBKS. Notably, Sanju Samson’s 632 runs make him the highest run-scorer in this rivalry, while Arshdeep Singh’s 17 wickets lead the bowling charts by a significant margin.
| Category | PBKS | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 | 30 |
| Wins | 13 | 17 |
| Highest Score | 223/2 | 226 |
| Most Runs | KL Rahul (490) | Sanju Samson (632) |
| Most Wickets | Arshdeep Singh (17) | Kevon Cooper (4/26 best) |
| Best Bowling | Arshdeep Singh (5/32) | Kevon Cooper (4/26) |
| RR win at Jaipur | 1 win | 5 wins |
Additionally, the 2020 Sharjah thriller where RR chased down PBKS’s 223/2 with Rahul Tewatia’s extraordinary finish remains the highest-scoring contest in this rivalry. However, PBKS won both games at Guwahati (2023, 2024), proving they can beat RR at neutral venues.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the Mullanpur Stadium pitch is a balanced sporting surface with reliable bounce and pace, with an average first-innings score of 183. Furthermore, pacers extract some assistance early on, but the track becomes more batter-friendly once set batters settle in.
Secondly, the Mullanpur weather forecast shows cloudy conditions with a temperature of 30°C and humidity around 31 percent. Consequently, there is a slight 25% chance of passing showers, but a full 40-over contest remains likely. Besides that, heavy dew will arrive during the second innings, making chasing significantly easier.
As a result, the captain winning the toss will almost certainly bowl first to exploit the dew advantage. Therefore, the toss becomes a decisive factor in this high-stakes clash between two top teams.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Punjab Kings enter as strong favourites, especially since they have won six straight completed games and remain unbeaten at home. Specifically, PBKS’s all-round balance across batting, bowling, and fielding makes them the most complete side in IPL 2026.
On the other hand, RR‘s batting firepower with Sooryavanshi, Jaiswal, and Hetmyer means they can post 230+ on any given day. However, their bowling has conceded 228 and 265 in their last two games, which makes defending any total extremely difficult.
As for the toss, the captain winning the flip will bowl first to exploit the dew. Ultimately, PBKS are predicted to win this contest and therefore extend their remarkable unbeaten streak to seven completed wins, which would be the longest in IPL 2026.
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Final Word
To sum up, the PBKS vs RR Match 40 pits the table-toppers against a quality side struggling with bowling form at fortress Mullanpur. If Arshdeep Singh strikes early against Sooryavanshi, then RR’s batting could be tested for the first time this season.
Otherwise, Sooryavanshi’s century form and Archer’s pace could make this a genuine contest. Either way, this Tuesday night promises a blockbuster between IPL’s most exciting openers on both sides.
