Punjab Kings take on Rajasthan Royals in Match 40 of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. PBKS come in as one of the most dominant teams this season, while RR rely on explosive starts to stay competitive. These Fantasy Cricket Tips for IPL 2026 will help you build a strong Dream11 Prediction.
Punjab Kings have been unstoppable this season, playing like a complete unit under Shreyas Iyer. Their opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh has been the most aggressive in the league, consistently giving flying starts. The middle order is well-balanced with Iyer and Cooper Connolly anchoring, while finishers like Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh have delivered in crunch situations. Their bowling, led by Arshdeep Singh, has been effective, though spin remains slightly inconsistent.
Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have relied heavily on their explosive top order. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been sensational, supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. However, their middle order has struggled to finish games, which has hurt them in key matches. Their strength lies in their pace attack, with Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger leading one of the best powerplay bowling units this season.
Match Details
| 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) |
Pitch Report
The Mullanpur pitch has been one of the highest-scoring venues in IPL 2026. The surface offers true bounce and allows batters to play freely.
The average first innings score is around 210–212, making it a batting-friendly ground. Pacers may get some movement early, but the pitch flattens quickly. Spinners need to rely on variations as turn is limited. A slight dew factor in the second innings gives an edge to chasing teams, so captains winning the toss may prefer to bowl first.
Top Players to Watch Out For This Match
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in outstanding form, scoring heavily at a very high strike rate. His fearless approach and ability to dominate bowlers make him a top fantasy pick and a strong captaincy option.
2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
Shreyas Iyer has been the backbone of PBKS’s batting lineup. His consistency and ability to control the innings make him a reliable fantasy choice, especially in high-scoring games.
3. Jofra Archer (RR)
Jofra Archer has been a key performer with the ball, especially in the powerplay. His ability to pick early wickets makes him a valuable fantasy asset, even on a batting-friendly pitch.
PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Team
- Wicketkeepers: Prabhsimran Singh, Dhruv Jurel
- Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya
- All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Jofra Archer
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Vice-Captain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
With both teams boasting strong batting lineups, expect another high-scoring thriller. For your Dream11 Prediction in IPL 2026, focus on top-order batters and impact bowlers.