The 40th match of IPL 2026 will see Punjab Kings take on Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. This IPL 2026 Match Prediction promises a high-scoring contest, with PBKS entering as the in-form team while RR look to bounce back.
Punjab Kings have been the standout team this season, playing like a well-oiled unit under Shreyas Iyer. Their aggressive batting and balanced squad have made them one of the toughest sides to beat.
Their opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh has been explosive, consistently giving strong starts. The middle order is equally solid with Cooper Connolly and Iyer anchoring innings, while Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh provide finishing power.
Their bowling is led by Arshdeep Singh, though spin has been slightly inconsistent despite the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have relied heavily on individual brilliance rather than consistent team performances. They have shown flashes of quality but lack stability in the middle order.
The biggest positive has been young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been in incredible form this season. Alongside him, Yashasvi Jaiswal provides aggressive starts.
However, players like Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer have struggled to finish games. Their bowling attack remains strong, led by Jofra Archer, who has been lethal in the powerplay.
Details of Match 40 of IPL 2026
| Match | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League 2026 |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| Date | 28 April 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM (IST) & 2:00 PM (GMT) |
PBKS vs RR Current Form Ahead of Match 40 of IPL 2026
PBKS vs RR Head to Head T20 Record Ahead of Match 40 of IPL 2026
| Metric | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 |
| PBKS Won | 13 |
| RR Won | 17 |
| Tied/No Result | 0 |
| PBKS Highest Score | 223 |
| RR Highest Score | 226 |
| PBKS Lowest Score | 124 |
| RR Lowest Score | 112 |
PBKS vs RR Player Battles For Match 40 of IPL 2026
1. Shreyas Iyer vs Ravi Bishnoi
This middle-overs contest could shape the game. Iyer has been in outstanding form this season, scoring consistently at a high strike rate.
Ravi Bishnoi has managed to keep Iyer relatively quiet in past encounters, even though he hasn’t dismissed him yet. If Bishnoi can control the scoring, RR can slow PBKS down.
2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Arshdeep Singh
This is a key Powerplay battle between youth and experience. Sooryavanshi has been fearless at the top, scoring quickly in recent matches.
Arshdeep Singh will look to use swing early on to dismiss him. If he fails to strike early, RR could get a flying start on this batting-friendly pitch.
3. Prabhsimran Singh vs Jofra Archer
This clash will be one of the most exciting moments of the match. Prabhsimran has been in destructive form, attacking bowlers from the start.
Archer, with his pace and accuracy, has been one of the best Powerplay bowlers this season. If Prabhsimran survives his spell, PBKS could dominate the innings.
PBKS vs RR Toss Prediction for Match 40 of IPL 2026
The Mullanpur pitch has been a batting paradise this season, with average first-innings scores crossing 210. The surface offers good bounce, making it ideal for stroke play.
Teams winning the toss are likely to bowl first, as chasing has worked well here recently. A slight dew factor in the second innings also makes it easier for batters to play their shots.
However, with both teams capable of posting big totals, the toss may not play a decisive role in the outcome.
PBKS vs RR Winner Prediction – Who Will Win Today’s Match 40 of IPL 2026?
Based on current form, team balance, and venue advantage, Punjab Kings have a clear edge in this contest. Their unbeaten run, strong batting lineup, and ability to chase big totals make them favourites.
Rajasthan Royals will depend heavily on their top order and early breakthroughs from Archer. If they can disrupt PBKS’s strong batting lineup early, they have a chance to pull off an upset.
However, with better consistency and momentum, Punjab Kings are more likely to win this match and continue their dominant run in IPL 2026.