Match 40 of IPL 2026 brings together the table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) and a resurgent Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
PBKS are the only unbeaten team this season 6 wins from 7 matches, including a record-breaking chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals. RR, sitting 4th with 10 points, have hit a rough patch, winning just 1 of their last 4 games.
In this article, we have compiled match odds, win probability, playing XIs, pitch report, and Dream11 tips for this high-stakes fixture.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – Match Details
Here is a quick snapshot of everything you need to know before the match begins.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Number | Match 40, IPL 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
You can follow live updates on ESPNcricinfo or stream the match on JioHotstar.
Points Table Context
Before we get into the prediction, here’s where both teams sit in the IPL 2026 standings heading into Match 40.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | +1.33 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | +0.60 |
PBKS have a massive NRR of +1.33, which reflects how dominant they have been — not just winning games but winning them by big margins. RR’s NRR of +0.60 is still healthy, but their recent form is a concern.
PBKS vs RR Win Probability & Odds
Punjab Kings start as clear favourites here, backed by their unbeaten run, home conditions, and superior batting depth. Here is how the numbers look.
| Team | Win Probability | Approx. Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 55–59% | 1.72 – 1.78 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 41–45% | 2.00 – 2.10 |
Disclaimer: All odds and win probability figures are indicative and for informational purposes only. They are not betting advice. Please check your local laws before participating in any real-money gaming activity.
Platform-Wise Odds Comparison
Different platforms may offer slightly different odds depending on their models. Here is an indicative comparison across popular platforms.
| Platform | PBKS Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Toss Odds (PBKS) | Toss Odds (RR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.72 | 2.08 | 1.85 | 1.9 |
| 4RABET | 1.68 | 2.12 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| BetVibe | 1.71 | 2.09 | 1.9 | 1.85 |
All platforms lean towards PBKS, primarily due to their home advantage and the form they have shown so far in IPL 2026.
Toss Prediction
The toss could be a decisive factor in this match given the conditions at Mullanpur.
- Toss is a pure 50/50 coin-flip — no team has a structural edge.
- Both captains are likely to bowl first if they win the toss.
- Dew in the second innings tends to help the batting side, so chasing under lights can be advantageous.
- Chasing teams have won 2 out of 3 IPL 2026 games at this venue so far.
Based on current trends at Mullanpur, expect the toss-winner to elect to field first and chase a target.
Predicted Playing XI
Both teams have settled combinations but may make one or two changes depending on conditions. Here are the expected lineups.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | WK-Opener | 287 runs this season |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya | Opener | Aggressive starter |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | Middle-Order | 240 runs, rising star |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter | 279 runs, in elite form |
| 5 | Shashank Singh | Finisher | Clutch performer |
| 6 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder | Power-hitting + seam |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | All-rounder | Left-arm pace option |
| 8 | Harpreet Brar | All-rounder | Economical spinner |
| 9 | Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | 18 wickets vs RR historically |
| 10 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Spinner | 18 wickets vs RR, 6.46 economy |
| 11 | Xavier Bartlett | Bowler | Pace backup |
Impact Player option: Vijaykumar Vyshak. PBKS have an incredibly deep batting unit — even their No. 9 and 10 can clear the boundary.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener | Consistent run-scorer |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opener | Breakout star; 254 runs at 220 SR |
| 3 | Sanju Samson (wk) | WK-Batter | Explosive middle-order |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (c) | All-rounder | Under pressure for form |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Finisher | Dangerous in death overs |
| 6 | Dhruv Jurel | Batter | Consistent lower-order support |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder | Spin + lower-order hitting |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Bowler | 13 wickets this season, rapid pace |
| 9 | Avesh Khan / Tushar Deshpande | Bowler | Pace option |
| 10 | Nandre Burger | Bowler | Left-arm seam |
| 11 | Brijesh Sharma / Sandeep Sharma | Bowler | Backup seamer |
Impact Player option: Rovman Powell. RR’s top four is world-class, but their middle-order has been inconsistent in recent away games.
Pitch & Weather Report – Mullanpur
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has quickly become one of the highest-scoring venues in IPL 2026.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Nature | Batting-friendly with true, consistent bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | ~193 runs |
| Highest Total at Venue | 254 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 219 |
| Pace vs Spin | Pacers take more wickets early; spinners effective mid-innings |
| Chasing vs Defending | Chasing teams have won 2 out of 3 this season here |
| Weather | Warm and clear, ~30°C |
| Dew Factor | Moderate to high in 2nd innings |
| Rain Chance | Very Low |
The dew factor is probably the most important variable here. Once it sets in during the second half of the game, seamers struggle to grip the ball. This makes chasing easier and batting conditions better in the final overs.
PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head Record
PBKS and RR have a long IPL history. Historically, RR have had the upper hand. Here is the overall picture.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 30 |
| PBKS Wins | 13 |
| RR Wins | 17 |
| At Mullanpur (IPL 2026 venue) | PBKS 1 – RR 1 |
In the most recent meeting (May 2025), PBKS won by 10 runs. But RR have historically won 2 out of 2 games at the Mullanpur ground specifically — which adds an interesting layer to this prediction despite PBKS’s current dominance.
Key Players to Watch
A few individuals could single-handedly change the outcome of this match. Keep a close eye on all of them.
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Has 279 runs this season and has led PBKS to some extraordinary chases. A game-reading quality that sets him apart.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR): The 14-year-old sensation recently became the youngest to score an IPL century. Strikes at over 220 and is the real X-factor for RR.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): Has taken 18 wickets against RR across his IPL career. His death-over bowling is crucial.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): Back in form, he and Sooryavanshi form one of the most explosive opening pairs in IPL history.
- Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS): 18 wickets against RR at an economy of just 6.46. His record against his former franchise is remarkable.
- Cooper Connolly (PBKS): The Australian all-rounder has quietly accumulated 240 runs this season and is a differential pick for Dream11.
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
Let’s break down the key strengths and potential vulnerabilities for both sides before giving a final call.
Punjab Kings – Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: Only unbeaten team in IPL 2026 | Record T20 chase of 265 | Home ground advantage | Chahal’s brilliant record vs RR.
- Weaknesses: Can afford to be complacent | Pressure of being favourites every game | RR have beaten them at Mullanpur before.
Rajasthan Royals – Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: Explosive top order in Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi | Jofra Archer’s pace (13 wickets this season) | Playing with nothing to lose.
- Weaknesses: Only 1 win in last 4 games | Riyan Parag in poor form (81 runs in 7 innings at SR 117) | Middle-order collapses on away grounds.
Scenario-Based Prediction
Here is how the game might play out depending on which team bats first.
| Scenario | Expected Total | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| PBKS Bat First | 195–210 | PBKS defend comfortably if they set 200+ |
| RR Bat First | 180–195 | PBKS chase it they’ve done bigger this season |
PBKS’s ability to chase is arguably the best in IPL history right now they’ve chased 200+ targets three times this season alone. Even if RR post a big score, Punjab have the firepower to overhaul it.
Final Prediction
Taking everything into account form, home advantage, batting depth, and Chahal’s record against his former team the final call is:
Winner: Punjab Kings (by 15–25 runs or with 4–5 wickets to spare, depending on who bats first).
| Team | Win Probability |
|---|---|
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 55–59% |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 41–45% |
That said, RR are never a team to be written off. A Sooryavanshi special or an Archer spell can change things quickly. Watch the toss — it may be the deciding factor in a close finish.
Dream11 / Fantasy Tips for PBKS vs RR
Whether you’re playing on Dream11, My11Circle, or any other fantasy platform, these picks should give you a solid foundation. Always finalise your team just before the toss for the latest lineup updates.
Captain & Vice-Captain
- Captain (1st choice): Shreyas Iyer – Consistent, high-impact batter in excellent form.
- Captain (2nd choice): Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – High ceiling; great if RR bat first in the powerplay.
- Vice-Captain: Yashasvi Jaiswal or Marcus Stoinis.
Must-Have Picks
- Arshdeep Singh – Proven record against RR.
- Yuzvendra Chahal – Can’t ignore 18 wickets vs RR.
- Prabhsimran Singh – 287 runs this season; loves Mullanpur.
- Cooper Connolly – Underrated differential pick.
Budget Picks
- Dhruv Jurel – Decent scorer at a lower credit cost.
- Harpreet Brar – Economical, picks up wickets in the middle overs.
Players to Avoid
- Riyan Parag – Poor form (81 runs in 7 innings).
- Extra spinners if dew is expected to be heavy in the second innings.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion
PBKS vs RR on April 28 promises to be one of the better matches of IPL 2026. Punjab Kings are flying and will be tough to stop at home. But RR have the explosiveness at the top of the order to make this very competitive.
Our call is PBKS to win, but do not underestimate what Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal can do in the powerplay. Keep an eye on the toss and confirm your Dream11 team right before 7:30 PM IST.
For real-time scores and match updates, head to the official IPL website.
FAQs
Punjab Kings start as favourites with a 55–59% win probability. They are unbeaten this season with 6 wins from 7 matches.
The match starts at 7:30 PM IST at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
PBKS odds are approximately 1.72–1.78 and RR odds are around 2.00–2.10 across major platforms.
In 30 IPL matches, RR lead 17–13. However, PBKS won the most recent meeting in May 2025 by 10 runs.
Shreyas Iyer is the safest captain pick. If you want a high-risk, high-reward option, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is worth considering.
The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed live on JioHotstar.
The pitch is batting-friendly with an average first innings score of ~193. Pacers do well early. Dew in the second innings makes chasing easier.
The toss is a 50/50 call, but both captains are likely to bowl first given the dew factor and chasing advantage at this venue in IPL 2026.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
