Punjab Kings (PBKS) are our predicted winners for IPL 2026 Match 40 against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 28, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh.
PBKS remain the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, sitting at the top with 15 points and a perfect 3-0 home record this season.
RR arrive after back-to-back losses, and their middle order has gone cold at the worst possible time.
IPL 2026 Match 40 PBKS vs RR Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 40, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals |
| Date | Monday, April 28, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| PBKS Coach | Ricky Ponting |
| RR Coach | Kumar Sangakkara |
IPL 2026 Match 40 Odds for PBKS vs RR
The odds reflect what the numbers already scream: PBKS are the team nobody wants to face right now.
Punjab Kings are comfortable favourites across all major platforms, with win odds sitting around 1.55-1.65. Their unbeaten run, dominant home record, and the fact that they just chased down 265 against the Delhi Capitals three days ago make them a bookmaker’s nightmare.
RR, coming off two defeats in their last three outings, are priced at around 2.25-2.40.
| Platform | PBKS Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Toss Odds (PBKS) | Toss Odds (RR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.58 | 2.35 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.55 | 2.40 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 1.62 | 2.28 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| BetVibe | 1.60 | 2.30 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
IPL 2026 Match 40 Toss Prediction for PBKS vs RR
The toss at Mullanpur is less about luck and more about strategy.
In IPL 2026, over 90% of matches have seen the toss winner elect to bowl first. Chasing has been PBKS’s superpower this season. They have successfully chased 196, 220, and 265 in their last three completed outings.
Dew becomes a genuine factor in evening matches at this venue. The ball gets slippery from around the 14th-15th over of the second innings, making it harder for bowlers to grip and execute.
Both Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag will want to field first. The captain who wins the toss will almost certainly choose to chase.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to field first.
PBKS Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 40
Punjab Kings are not just winning; they are rewriting record books while doing it.
Their last match saw them pull off the highest successful chase in IPL history, hunting down 265 against DC with seven balls to spare. Prabhsimran Singh smashed 76 off 26 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the chase with an unbeaten 71 off 36.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | All-rounder |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter |
| 5 | Shashank Singh | Batter |
| 6 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | All-rounder |
| 8 | Xavier Bartlett | Bowler |
| 9 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Bowler |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
| 11 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Nehal Wadhera | Batter |
Key Stats to Know
Shreyas Iyer has scored 324 runs in 10 matches at an average of 54.00 and a strike rate of 184.09.
Priyansh Arya has matched that with 324 runs at a strike rate of 210.38.
Arshdeep Singh leads the PBKS bowling attack with 11 wickets in 10 matches.
RR Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 40
Rajasthan Royals have the talent. What they don’t have right now is momentum.
They lost their last match against SRH despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing 103 off just 37 balls. The problem? Everyone else around Sooryavanshi contributed just 125 runs off 83 balls combined. That is a red flag, not a blip.
Captain Riyan Parag has had a rough patch, managing just 81 runs at a strike rate of 117 across seven innings. For a captain batting at No. 3, that is below par.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (c) | Batter |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Bowler |
| 9 | Tushar Deshpande | Bowler |
| 10 | Nandre Burger | Bowler |
| 11 | Brijesh Sharma | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Sandeep Sharma / Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler |
Key Stats to Know
Yashasvi Jaiswal leads RR’s run charts with 356 runs in 10 matches at an average of 44.50.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has 347 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 222.43. He holds the record for the second and third fastest centuries in IPL history. The kid is just 15.
Sam Curran remains injured and unavailable for RR.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, IPL 2026
The Mullanpur pitch has been a playground for batters in IPL 2026. And it shows no signs of slowing down.
Stadium Details:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Capacity | 38,000 |
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly, true bounce |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | 211 runs |
| Highest Total at Venue (IPL 2026) | 254/7 by PBKS |
| Lowest Total at Venue (IPL) | 95 |
| Best Strategy | Bat second (dew factor advantage) |
What to expect from the pitch on April 28:
Pacers get early assistance. There is some movement with the new ball in the first 2-3 overs, especially under lights. Don’t expect it to last, though.
The surface flattens out quickly. Once the shine wears off, batters can play their shots freely. The pitch offers true bounce and good carry.
Dew plays a role in the second innings. From around the 14th-15th over onwards, bowlers struggle to grip the ball. This is why chasing teams at Mullanpur have had a clear edge.
Pace bowlers have accounted for 67% of wickets at this venue. Spinners find some purchase in the middle overs but are unlikely to dominate.
Expected score range: 190-220 per innings, with 200+ a realistic target for both sides.
New Chandigarh Weather Report, April 28, 2026
It is going to be hot. Very hot. But the evening brings some relief, and the match should proceed without any weather interruptions.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, hot and dry |
| Temperature (Daytime) | 38-40°C |
| Temperature (Evening) | 28-32°C |
| Humidity | Moderate (~40-50%) |
| Wind Speed | Light winds, 10-15 km/h |
| Dew Factor | Expected from ~14th-15th over of 2nd innings |
| Rain Probability | Less than 5% during match hours |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low. Full 40-over contest almost certain |
The IMD has issued a heat wave warning for Punjab and Chandigarh on April 28. However, scattered thunderstorm activity predicted for the wider region is unlikely to impact the match window directly.
Dream11 Team for PBKS vs RR
PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head: Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | PBKS Wins | RR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 13 | 17 | 0 |
RR holds a comfortable edge in the record. But recent history tells a more balanced story.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | May 18, 2025 | PBKS | 10 runs | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| IPL 2025 | Apr 5, 2025 | RR | 50 runs | MYS Stadium, Mullanpur |
| IPL 2024 | May 15, 2024 | PBKS | 5 wickets | ACA Stadium, Guwahati |
| IPL 2024 | Apr 13, 2024 | RR | 3 wickets | MYS Stadium, Mullanpur |
| IPL 2023 | May 19, 2023 | RR | 4 wickets | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala |
RR leads 3-2 in the last 5 meetings. But here is the critical detail.
At Mullanpur specifically, RR have won both their previous visits. In IPL 2024, they chased down 148 in a last-over thriller. In IPL 2025, Jofra Archer led a devastating bowling display as PBKS were bundled out for 155 chasing 206.
That Mullanpur record is the one caveat in an otherwise one-sided form chart. PBKS will want to bury that ghost tonight.
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing
The most famous PBKS vs RR match remains Sharjah 2020, when Rahul Tewatia hit five sixes in one Sheldon Cottrell over to chase down 224. Still one of the greatest IPL innings ever played.
Arshdeep Singh leads all wicket-takers in this fixture with 17 wickets.
Our Prediction: Punjab Kings Have Better Chances to Win Against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Match 40
Bottom line: PBKS win, likely chasing a target in the 190-210 range.
Why PBKS Will Win
The numbers are overwhelmingly in their favour.
PBKS are 7-0 in completed matches this season. They are the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026. They sit at the top of the table with 15 points and the best Net Run Rate in the league.
Their batting depth is frightening. They have chased down 196, 220, and 265 in their last three completed matches.
The powerplay partnership of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya has been the most destructive opening combo in IPL 2026. They put up 116 in the powerplay against DC, the second-highest powerplay score in IPL history.
The bowling attack, led by Arshdeep Singh (11 wickets), backed by Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, and Yuzvendra Chahal, gives Iyer options in every phase.
Why RR Could Spring an Upset
Jofra Archer at Mullanpur is a different beast.
RR have won both their previous IPL visits to Mullanpur, and Archer’s pace and bounce on this surface have historically troubled PBKS’s top order.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in the form of his life. His 347 runs at a strike rate of 222.43 make him the most explosive opener in IPL 2026. One bad match from PBKS’s bowlers could see him take the game away single-handedly.
Ravindra Jadeja adds all-round balance that could be crucial in the middle overs. His left-arm spin and lower-order batting give RR a dimension they lacked previously.
Also Read:
Final Verdict
PBKS’s form, home advantage, and superior depth across all departments make them the clear favourites. RR’s Mullanpur record and Archer’s pace are genuine threats, but they are not enough to overcome the most dominant team in this IPL.
Predicted Winner: Punjab Kings
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 27, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
