NewsIndia

Rajasthan Royals handed Punjab Kings their first defeat of the season in a thrilling chase on April 28, 2026, at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. RR won by six wickets, successfully chasing down a target set by PBKS.

Punjab Kings scored 222 runs for four wickets in their innings. Stoinis led the charge with an impressive 62 runs off just 22 deliveries. Rajasthan Royals responded effectively, scoring 228 runs for four wickets, thanks to Jaiswal’s explosive half-century which he achieved in just 26 balls.

The match was part of IPL 2026 and marked Match No. 40 of the tournament. Rajasthan Royals opted to field after winning the toss. They entered the match with five wins from eight games, while Punjab Kings had six victories from seven matches prior to this encounter.

Key statistics:

• Punjab Kings total: 222 runs for 4 wickets
• Rajasthan Royals total: 228 runs for 4 wickets
• Winning margin: Rajasthan Royals by six wickets
• Runs scored by Stoinis: 62 runs
• Half-century by Jaiswal: in just 26 balls
• Total matches played between PBKS and RR: 30 (RR won 17, PBKS won 13)

The pitch at Mullanpur is generally batting-friendly, which contributed to the high-scoring nature of the game. Rajasthan Royals have historically had the upper hand in head-to-head matches against Punjab Kings.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to strengthen their positions. Punjab Kings remain at the top of the table with an impressive net run rate despite this setback. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals continue to assert themselves as one of the most dominant teams in IPL this season.