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Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 40th match of IPL 2026. Punjab Kings are at the top of the table with sox wins and one no-result game. They are the only team yet to lose a game this season. Rajasthan Royals are fourth in the table with five wins and three defeats, so it promises to be a magnificent match.

PBKS have all bases covered as a batting unit. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh dominate the powerplay. Cooper Connolly provides further impact at three before Shreyas Iyer is the driving force at four. Then, the 2025 finalists also have a number of players who can provide further impact down the order.

So, the battle between Jofra Archer and the firing PBKS lineup – fresh off an incredible chase of 265 – promises to be brilliant.

RR, on the other hand, are relying too heavily on their top three. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal is a magnificent opening duo, but the likes of Riyan Parag will have to take responsibility. Donovan Ferreira has done well down the order in a couple of games. 

Match Details

IPL 2026 40th Match: PBKS vs RR Probable Playing XIIs

Bowling will be a concern for the Kings, as except Marco Jansen (8.5), all their bowlers have an economy rate of more than 9.5. Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Xavier Bartlett have failed to create a consistent impact with the ball. Lockie Ferguson will be available for this game, and it should bolster their bowling. 

Punjab Kings: 1. Prabhismran Singh (wk), 2. Priyansh Arya, 3. Cooper Connolly, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Shashank Singh, 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Lockie Ferguson, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Vijaykumar Vyshak 

Impact Sub: Yuzvendra Chahal

Jofra Archer has been phenomenal. He has picked up wickets with the new ball and has bowled well towards the death overs as well. His impact in the powerplay alongside Nandre Burger is a key reason for Rajasthan’s performance.

Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja have been in good form as well. RR has tried Brijesh Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, and Sandeep Sharma as their third pacer, but none of them have been able to perform as expected. 

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 3. Dhruv Jurel (wk), 4. Riyan Parag (c), 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Donovan Ferreira, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Ravi Bishnoi, 10. Tushar Deshpande, 11. Nandre Burger 

Impact Sub: Shubham Dubey/Brijesh Sharma

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium New Chandigarh Mullanpur Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score here this season is 211 runs. PBKS have won all three games played here in IPL 2026 – two chasing and one batting first. There will be some movement on offer for the pacers with the new ball, but it will be an excellent venue for batting. Teams will prefer chasing if they win the toss. 

Rain is predicted during the day, but the weather should be clear at the game time. The pacers may get some movement, and dew might not be a factor in this match. The temperature will be around 29 degrees Celsius at the start of the contest.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PBKS vs RR: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:  

• Dhurv Jurel scored 51 runs in the last game. He’s the batter who’s holding the batting unit together at number three and is playing at a good strike rate. Jurel has three fifties.
• Prabhsimran Singh has been in sublime form this season. He has a total of 287 runs at an average of 57.40 and strike rate of 192.61 with three fifties. He scored 76 off just 26 in the last game. 

Key batter picks: 

• Shreyas Iyer is taking responsibility, and he’s finishing matches for his team. He has been excellent against both spin and pace and will be a key batter for his team. Iyer has 406 runs against the Royals at an average of 31.2 and strike rate of 133.6.
• Priyansh Arya is another consistent batter from the Punjab Kings. His strike rate this season is a whopping 249.01 (254 runs, avg. 42.33). This includes two half-centuries. Priyansh will be a top C/VC choice as well.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal has 255 runs in eight innings so far. He’s failed to get going in the last few games, but he’s a quality batter and will be in for a big score in this game. You can try him as captain in some of your teams. 
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a 36-ball hundred in the last game against SRH. He’s been in terrific form and will be a no-brainer to pick him in your fantasy teams. SPODA AI predictive analysis gives Sooryavanshi a 30% probability of scoring 50 or more in this match.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Ravindra Jadeja is expected to bowl 3-4 overs in this game, and he will contribute with the bat as well. He has looked in good touch with the bat too. Jadjea has 132 runs and 6 wickets so far in IPL 2026.
• Cooper Connolly has 240 runs in six innings at an average of 48 and strike rate of 164.38 with two fifties. He’s batting very positively, and he’ll take on the bowlers in the middle overs on his day. You shouldn’t miss out on him in this game. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Jofra Archer has 13 wickets in eight games so far, eight of which have come in the powerplay. He will pose a big threat to Punjab’s top order. He has a 37.68% probability of taking 2+ wickets according to SPODA AI predictive analysis.
• Lockie Ferguson is expected to play this game, and he will be a top fantasy pick. He will bowl in the powerplay and then towards the end of the innings. Lockie bowls at a high pace and did well for the Kings in the last edition of the IPL.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Marcus Stoinis.
• Yuzvendra Chahal.
• Marco Jansen.
• Ravi Bishnoi.

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Head to Head: 30 matches, RR 17, and PBKS 13. Rajasthan Royals have won three of the last five games.
• Prabhsimran Singh vs Ravindra Jadeja (T20s): 21 runs, 2 dismissals in 16 deliveries.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Arshdeep Singh (T20s): 58 runs, 2 dismissals in 35 deliveries.
• Ravindra Jadeja vs Yuzvendra Chahal (T20s): 31 runs, 2 dismissals in 30 deliveries.

IPL 2026 40th Match: PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today

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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 40th Match: PBKS vs RR Match Prediction: Who will win?

Both teams are in form, but they have their respective areas of concerns. Punjab’s bowlers have been very expensive while the Royals are struggling with their middle order.

Jofra Archer against Punjab’s top order can be a decisive battle in this match.

Rajasthan Royals to win.

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