RR has a slight advantage over PBKS, but their rivalry has not been without drama and controversy

In the 40th match of the IPL, to be played on April 28, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face off, with both teams in contention to reach the playoffs. For the record, PBKS is in a comfortable position at the top of the table, still undefeated after seven matches. On the other hand, RR is in the fourth position, hoping to win more points to ensure it stays in the top four.

Ahead of their clash, let us take a look at their rivalry since 2008.

Head-to-head

Head-to-head, PBKS and RR have played 30 IPL matches against each other. Out of 30 matches, RR has won 17, whereas PBKS has won the remaining 13. No games between the sides have ended in a tie or without any result. In terms of IPL success, the Royals have won the IPL title once in the opening season, but the Punjab have yet to lift a title.

Flashpoints

As mentioned above, the rivalry between the two sides has witnessed multiple flashpoints. In 2019, controversy erupted when Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler out at the non-striker’s end in Jaipur. This led to a massive “law vs spirit of cricket” debate across the cricketing world. Given that MCG laws allow mankading, Buttler’s dismissal was considered legitimate.

🚨“Smart cricket or cheap trick? Ashwin’s Mankad divides the cricket world.”

🔹“In IPL 2019, Ravichandran Ashwin ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end (Mankad) — it was legal, but it sparked one of the biggest ‘spirit of the game’ debates in cricket.”

🔹Virat Kohli :… pic.twitter.com/8okDP2pZ02

— @Cricketwithruts (@CricketwithRuts) February 2, 2026

In 2019, Ashwin was playing for Punjab, but in 2023, he was in the pink jersey of Rajasthan. However, he did not allow the opposing side to forget the 2019 incident. In 2023, he warned Punjab’s Shikhar Dhawan not to cross the line early.

High drama

Then: Kartik Tyagi defended 4 runs in the last over for the Rajasthan Royals

Now: Kartik Tyagi picked three wickets in an over against the Rajasthan Royals

📸: JioStar/IPL | #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/0zPcEy40NB

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 19, 2026

Punjab and Rajasthan’s rivalry has also witnessed a Super Over in 2015, which Punjab won, ending the Royals' five-match winning streak. Another memorable high-drama match between Punjab and Rajasthan took place in 2021, when Kartik Tyagi defended RR against Punjab, who needed only 4 runs in the last over with 8 wickets in hand.

Playing XIs

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Arshdeep Singh.

Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma.

Last game

Very well played Innings by Nehal Wadhera, scored 70 Runs in 39 Balls. When PBKS in trouble 34/3 & Nehal played a Impactful Innings for his team. #RRvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/pLlDEn5MiV

— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) May 18, 2025

The last game between the two sides had witnessed PBKS score 219 runs on the board. In response, the Rajasthan Royals could only score 209 runs and lost the game by 10 runs. Nehal Wadhera was Punjab’s star man with 70 runs in 37 balls.