IPL 2026: PBKS vs. RR prediction, lineups, pitch report and betting tips as Shreyas Iyer's side eye another victory

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is set for a blockbuster evening this Tuesday as unbeaten Punjab Kings take on talented Rajasthan Royals side in Match 40 of IPL 2026.

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Punjab Kings are sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 13 points and an imposing net run rate. They are yet to drop full points after seven matches. Their run has been built on the calm and assured leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who has already notched up four half-centuries this season.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals, currently placed fourth with 10 points, travel to Mullanpur looking to strengthen their position and close the gap on the teams above as the tournament continues to intensify.

Royals are coming off a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, but it has not dimmed their ambitions. Rajasthan Royals remain among the IPL's most dominant sides this season.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, still a teenager, has taken to this level as though it were made for him. He has plundered 357 runs at a strike rate nudging 235 and sitting second in the Orange Cap standings. Dhruv Jurel has provided calm, reliable ballast alongside him, while Jofra Archer has had opposing batters genuinely rattled, his 13 wickets is a testament to what express pace can do.

Punjab Kings vs. Rajasthan Royals Prediction: Who Will Win?

Punjab Kings have looked, all season, like a side that has simply decided winning is a habit worth keeping.

Shreyas Iyer has led them with a composure that has spread through the dressing room, and it has shown. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have repeatedly given them the kind of starts that allow the middle order to breathe, while their bowlers have made Mullanpur a venue opposition sides have come to dread.

Rajasthan Royals, though, have earned the right to be taken seriously. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been in frightening touch, and Jofra Archer has consistently had batters second-guessing themselves. This one will be close.

And yet, Punjab's greatest asset has been their collective depth. Different players have stood up at different moments. That, more than anything, has been their edge.

Prediction: PBKS to win!

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PBKS vs. LSG Pitch Report: MYS International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh

Mullanpur has been a batter's paradise this season. The pitch has offered true bounce, and the pacers have found early movement but it has not lasted. Scores have gone past 200 on average, which is a jump of over 20 runs from the ground's all-time IPL average. The short square boundaries have suited the big hitters, spinners have had to rely on guile, and dew has heavily favoured the side batting second.

CATEGORYDETAILEstablished2021Capacity38,000IPL Matches14Batting First Wins7(50 %)Batting Second Wins7 (50 %)Average First Innings Score178.07Run Rate9.15Highest Total254/7 (Punjab Kings)Best Individual Innings103 (Priyansh Arya, PBKS)Best Bowling figures4/28 (Yuzvendra Chahal, PBKS)

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Head-to-Head: PBKS vs. RR

Despite Punjab's current invincible form, history tells a much more balanced story. In the 30 times these two sides have met in the IPL, the Rajasthan Royals actually hold the upper hand with 17 wins compared to 13 wins for the Punjab Kings.

Recent history has been even more competitive, with both teams sharing three wins apiece in their last six encounters. Interestingly, Mullanpur has historically been a difficult ground for the Kings against this specific opponent, as they have lost both of their previous home games here to the Royals.

CATEGORYPBKSRRMatches Played3030Matches Won1317Matches Lost1713Tie/ N.R00Highest Total223/2 226/6Lowest Total124/10112/7

PBKS vs. RR Betting Tips

Here is our favourite betting angle for the PBKS vs. RR match.

BETTING TIPSODDSShreyas Iyer to score over 30.51.87 via Dafabet

Shreyas Iyer has been Punjab's backbone this season. He has scored four half-centuries and he's only getting better. On a true Mullanpur surface, he looks near impossible to contain when set.

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PBKS vs. RR Lineups, Team News

PBKS are unlikely to make any change to their playing XI for this clash. 

RR can make a tactical change for this clash. They could bring in Sandeep Sharma for Brijesh Sharma.

PBKS predicted lineup to play RR

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c) Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Barlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact Player- Vijaykumar Vyshak.

RR predicted lineup to play PBKS

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi.

Impact Player - Tushar Deshpande

PBKS vs. RR Odds: Who is the favourite for the IPL 2026 clash?

• PBKS to win: 1.74
• RR to win: 2.10

*All odds via Dafabet.

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How to watch PBKS vs. RR IPL 2026 match: Live Stream, TV Channel

Here is all the key information for how to watch PBKS vs. LSG

• Date: Tueday, 28 April 
• Venue: MYS International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
• Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
• TV/Stream: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network

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