The Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings timeline is one of the most entertaining matchups in IPL history. Since their first meeting in 2008, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings have produced high-scoring chases, last-over finishes, Super Over drama and several memorable individual performances.
The rivalry has also changed considerably over the years. Punjab entered the IPL as Kings XI Punjab, while Rajasthan Royals became one of the competition’s most recognizable franchises after winning the inaugural IPL title in 2008. Despite changes in squads, captains and team names, matches between the two sides have regularly been competitive.
As of the latest completed meeting in the 2026 IPL season, Rajasthan Royals have played Punjab Kings 31 times, winning 18 matches compared with Punjab’s 13. Their first encounter came on April 21, 2008, while their most recent meeting was on April 28, 2026, when Rajasthan chased down Punjab’s 222/4 by scoring 228/4.
This complete RR vs PBKS timeline covers their season-by-season meetings, head-to-head record, match results, memorable games, major records and the players who have shaped this IPL rivalry.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline at a Glance
| Category | Record |
| First IPL meeting | April 21, 2008 |
| First venue | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| Total matches | 31 |
| Rajasthan Royals wins | 18 |
| Punjab Kings wins | 13 |
| Ties | 0 |
| No Results | 0 |
| RR highest score | 228/4 |
| PBKS highest score | 223/2 |
| RR highest individual score | Sanju Samson – 119 |
| PBKS highest individual score | Shaun Marsh – 115 |
| RR best bowling | Kevon Cooper – 4/26 |
| PBKS best bowling | Arshdeep Singh – 5/32 |
| Biggest RR win | 78 runs |
| Latest meeting | RR won by 6 wickets, 2026 |
The overall record gives Rajasthan an advantage of five wins. The official Rajasthan Royals head-to-head record lists 31 meetings, with RR winning 18 and Punjab Kings winning 13.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings First Meeting
The Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings IPL history began on April 21, 2008, during the inaugural IPL season.
The match was played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Punjab, then known as Kings XI Punjab, scored 166/8 in 19.5 overs. Rajasthan successfully chased the target, reaching 168/4 in 18.1 overs to win by six wickets.
Shane Watson was the star of the contest for Rajasthan. He smashed an unbeaten 76 from 49 balls, including five fours and five sixes. Shane Warne also made an important contribution with the ball, taking three wickets for 19 runs.
The first meeting therefore established a pattern that would appear repeatedly in this rivalry: Rajasthan were capable of producing aggressive batting performances and finding ways to win close games.
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Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline: Season by Season
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2008
The inaugural season produced two matches between the teams.
April 21, 2008 – Jaipur
Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.
Punjab Kings’ predecessor Kings XI Punjab posted 166/8. Rajasthan chased the target with 168/4 in 18.1 overs.
Shane Watson’s unbeaten 76 was the defining performance, while Shane Warne claimed three wickets.
May 28, 2008 – Mohali
Kings XI Punjab won by 41 runs.
Punjab responded in their second meeting by producing a huge 221/3 from 20 overs. Rajasthan could manage 180/7.
The result gave both teams one win each from their first two encounters and immediately established a competitive rivalry.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2009
The teams met twice during the 2009 IPL season, which was played in South Africa.
April 26, 2009 – Newlands
Kings XI Punjab won by 27 runs.
Punjab scored 139/6 before restricting Rajasthan to 112/7.
May 5, 2009 – Kingsmead
Rajasthan Royals won by 78 runs.
Rajasthan produced a dominant performance, scoring 211/4 before restricting Punjab to 133/8.
The 78-run victory remains one of the biggest margins in the history of the RR-PBKS matchup.
The teams therefore finished the season level at one win apiece.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2010
Rajasthan Royals dominated both meetings in 2010.
March 24, 2010 – Mohali
Rajasthan Royals won by 31 runs.
Rajasthan scored 183/5 before bowling Punjab out for 152.
April 7, 2010 – Jaipur
Rajasthan Royals won by 9 wickets.
This was one of Rajasthan’s most convincing victories in the rivalry.
Punjab scored 153/6, but Rajasthan chased the target with remarkable ease, reaching 157/1 in only 15 overs.
Michael Lumb scored 83 from 43 balls, striking 16 boundaries and two sixes. His innings earned him Player of the Match honors.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2011
The two teams met once in the 2011 season.
April 21, 2011 – Mohali
Kings XI Punjab won by 48 runs.
Punjab scored 195/7 and then restricted Rajasthan to 147/7.
The 48-run victory gave Punjab an emphatic win, although Rajasthan would regain control of the rivalry in subsequent seasons.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2012
Rajasthan Royals bounced back strongly in 2012, winning both meetings.
April 6, 2012 – Jaipur
Rajasthan Royals won by 31 runs.
RR scored 191/4 before Punjab finished on 160/9.
May 5, 2012 – Mohali
Rajasthan Royals won by 43 runs.
Rajasthan again posted a strong total, reaching 177/6. Punjab could only manage 134/8.
Kevon Cooper was particularly impressive during the season, taking 4/26 in the Jaipur meeting. This remains Rajasthan’s best bowling performance in the overall RR-PBKS rivalry.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2013
Rajasthan continued their dominance in 2013.
April 14, 2013 – Jaipur
Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.
Punjab were bowled out for 124 in 18.5 overs. Rajasthan chased the target with four wickets remaining.
May 9, 2013 – Mohali
Rajasthan Royals won by 8 wickets.
Punjab made 145/6, but Rajasthan reached 147/2 in 19 overs.
Rajasthan therefore completed a 2-0 season sweep.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2014
Punjab turned the tables in 2014, winning both meetings.
April 20, 2014 – Sharjah
Kings XI Punjab won by 7 wickets.
Rajasthan scored 191/5, but Punjab chased the target successfully, reaching 193/3 in 18.4 overs.
May 23, 2014 – Mohali
Kings XI Punjab won by 16 runs.
Punjab scored 179/4 before Rajasthan finished on 163/8.
The two victories marked an important shift in the rivalry after Rajasthan had dominated the previous two seasons.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2015
The 2015 rivalry produced two very different matches.
April 10, 2015 – Pune
Rajasthan Royals won by 26 runs.
Rajasthan posted 162/7 and restricted Punjab to 136/8.
April 21, 2015 – Ahmedabad
Kings XI Punjab won in a Super Over.
This match is one of the most memorable games in the entire RR vs PBKS timeline.
Both teams finished their 20 overs on 191/6, forcing a One-Over Eliminator. Punjab eventually won the Super Over.
The contest demonstrated just how evenly matched the teams could be when a normal 20-over game could not separate them.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2016–2017
There were no Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings matches in 2016 or 2017 because Rajasthan Royals were suspended from the IPL for those two seasons.
Punjab’s franchise continued participating in the competition, but without Rajasthan there could be no direct meetings between the two sides.
Rajasthan returned to the IPL in 2018, restarting the rivalry after a two-season gap.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2018
The rivalry resumed with two matches.
May 6, 2018 – Indore
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets.
Rajasthan scored 152/9, but Punjab chased the target in 18.4 overs, reaching 155/4.
May 8, 2018 – Jaipur
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs.
Rajasthan responded immediately in their next meeting.
RR scored 158/8 and restricted Punjab to 143/7.
The season ended 1-1, continuing the pattern of fluctuating dominance between the teams.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2019
Punjab won both meetings in 2019.
March 25, 2019 – Jaipur
Kings XI Punjab won by 14 runs.
Punjab scored 184/4 before Rajasthan finished on 170/9.
April 16, 2019 – Mohali
Kings XI Punjab won by 12 runs.
Punjab again scored heavily, posting 182/6. Rajasthan responded with 170/7.
It was the first time since the early years of the competition that Punjab had completed a season sweep over Rajasthan.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2020
The 2020 UAE edition gave fans one of the most spectacular chapters in the Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings match history.
September 27, 2020 – Sharjah
Rajasthan Royals won by 4 wickets.
Punjab posted an enormous 223/2, but Rajasthan produced an extraordinary chase.
RR reached 226/6 in 19.3 overs, winning by four wickets.
The match became one of the defining high-scoring encounters between the two teams.
October 30, 2020 – Abu Dhabi
Rajasthan Royals won by 7 wickets.
Punjab scored 185/4, but Rajasthan chased the target comfortably, reaching 186/3 in 17.3 overs.
Rajasthan therefore completed a 2-0 season sweep after Punjab had won both meetings in 2019.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2021
The 2021 season once again produced two extremely close matches.
April 12, 2021 – Mumbai
Punjab Kings won by 4 runs.
Punjab posted 221/6. Rajasthan fought hard but ended on 217/7.
Sanju Samson scored 119 for Rajasthan, one of the greatest individual batting performances in the history of this fixture. It remains Rajasthan’s highest individual score against Punjab.
September 21, 2021 – Dubai
Rajasthan Royals won by 2 runs.
Rajasthan scored 185 before Punjab finished on 183/4.
The two-run victory was another example of how little separated the sides in high-pressure situations.
Kartik Tyagi played a decisive role at the end of the chase, helping Rajasthan defend a narrow target.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2022
The teams met once in the 2022 season.
May 7, 2022 – Mumbai
Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.
Punjab scored 189/5, but Rajasthan chased the target successfully, reaching 190/4 in 19.4 overs.
The victory extended Rajasthan’s recent advantage and showed their ability to chase a total close to 190 successfully.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2023
The teams split their two meetings in 2023.
April 5, 2023 – Guwahati
Punjab Kings won by 5 runs.
Punjab scored 197/4. Rajasthan fought back with 192/7 but fell five runs short.
Nathan Ellis was named Player of the Match for his bowling performance.
May 19, 2023 – Dharamsala
Rajasthan Royals won by 4 wickets.
Punjab made 187/5, while Rajasthan chased it down with 189/6 in 19.4 overs.
The four-wicket victory ensured the season series finished 1-1.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2024
The 2024 season again produced one win apiece.
April 13, 2024 – Mullanpur
Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets.
Punjab scored 147/8, but Rajasthan reached 152/7 in 19.5 overs.
Shimron Hetmyer was named Player of the Match after playing an important role in the successful chase.
May 15, 2024 – Guwahati
Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets.
Rajasthan scored only 144/9. Punjab chased the target, reaching 145/5 in 18.5 overs.
Sam Curran was named Player of the Match.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2025
The 2025 IPL season produced another split between the sides.
April 5, 2025 – Mullanpur
Rajasthan Royals won by 50 runs.
Rajasthan scored 205/4, while Punjab were restricted to 155/9.
Jofra Archer was named Player of the Match after an influential bowling performance.
May 18, 2025 – Jaipur
Punjab Kings won by 10 runs.
Punjab posted 219/5 and Rajasthan replied with 209/7.
Harpreet Brar was named Player of the Match for his 3/22 spell.
The 2025 season therefore ended 1-1.
RR vs PBKS Timeline 2026
The latest completed chapter of the rivalry came on April 28, 2026.
April 28, 2026 – New Chandigarh
Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.
Punjab Kings scored 222/4 in 20 overs.
Rajasthan then produced a superb chase, reaching 228/4 in 19.2 overs to win by six wickets. The result gave RR their 18th win in 31 meetings against Punjab.
The 228/4 chase also became Rajasthan’s highest team score against Punjab Kings in the rivalry.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Head-to-Head Record
The RR vs PBKS head-to-head record currently stands at 31 matches.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % |
| Rajasthan Royals | 31 | 18 | 13 | 58.06% |
| Punjab Kings | 31 | 13 | 18 | 41.94% |
Neither side has recorded a tie or no-result in the 31 completed meetings. Rajasthan therefore hold a clear overall advantage.
However, the margin does not tell the entire story. Several matches have been decided by very small margins, including Rajasthan’s two-run win in 2021 and Punjab’s four-run win in the same season.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Match Results
Here is the complete RR vs Punjab Kings all matches timeline:
| Season | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| 2008 | Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | 6 wickets |
| 2008 | Mohali | Kings XI Punjab | 41 runs |
| 2009 | Cape Town | Kings XI Punjab | 27 runs |
| 2009 | Durban | Rajasthan Royals | 78 runs |
| 2010 | Mohali | Rajasthan Royals | 31 runs |
| 2010 | Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | 9 wickets |
| 2011 | Mohali | Kings XI Punjab | 48 runs |
| 2012 | Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | 31 runs |
| 2012 | Mohali | Rajasthan Royals | 43 runs |
| 2013 | Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | 6 wickets |
| 2013 | Mohali | Rajasthan Royals | 8 wickets |
| 2014 | Sharjah | Kings XI Punjab | 7 wickets |
| 2014 | Mohali | Kings XI Punjab | 16 runs |
| 2015 | Pune | Rajasthan Royals | 26 runs |
| 2015 | Ahmedabad | Kings XI Punjab | Super Over |
| 2018 | Indore | Kings XI Punjab | 6 wickets |
| 2018 | Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | 15 runs |
| 2019 | Jaipur | Kings XI Punjab | 14 runs |
| 2019 | Mohali | Kings XI Punjab | 12 runs |
| 2020 | Sharjah | Rajasthan Royals | 4 wickets |
| 2020 | Abu Dhabi | Rajasthan Royals | 7 wickets |
| 2021 | Mumbai | Punjab Kings | 4 runs |
| 2021 | Dubai | Rajasthan Royals | 2 runs |
| 2022 | Mumbai | Rajasthan Royals | 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Guwahati | Punjab Kings | 5 runs |
| 2023 | Dharamsala | Rajasthan Royals | 4 wickets |
| 2024 | Mullanpur | Rajasthan Royals | 3 wickets |
| 2024 | Guwahati | Punjab Kings | 5 wickets |
| 2025 | Mullanpur | Rajasthan Royals | 50 runs |
| 2025 | Jaipur | Punjab Kings | 10 runs |
| 2026 | New Chandigarh | Rajasthan Royals | 6 wickets |
The full match log confirms the 31-match sequence from the inaugural 2008 meeting through the 2026 encounter.
Most Memorable Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Matches
RR vs PBKS 2020: The 226-Run Chase
The 2020 Sharjah contest is arguably one of the most iconic games in the rivalry.
Punjab scored 223/2, seemingly putting themselves in a commanding position. Rajasthan, however, chased the target with four balls remaining, finishing on 226/6.
The match perfectly represented the modern IPL: enormous totals, aggressive batting and a chase that appeared unlikely until the final stages.
RR vs PBKS 2015: The Super Over Thriller
The 2015 Ahmedabad match was completely different.
Both teams scored 191/6, forcing a One-Over Eliminator. Punjab eventually won the Super Over.
It remains the only tied match in the rivalry before the Super Over decided the winner.
RR vs PBKS 2021: The Two-Run Finish
Rajasthan scored 185 before Punjab finished on 183/4.
The two-run margin made it one of the closest results in the RR-PBKS timeline.
RR vs PBKS 2023: Five-Run Thriller
Punjab scored 197/4 and Rajasthan came close at 192/7.
The five-run margin made another chapter in the rivalry’s long list of close contests.
RR vs PBKS 2026: Another High-Scoring Chase
Punjab’s 222/4 looked like a substantial total, but Rajasthan reached 228/4 in 19.2 overs.
The six-wicket victory became Rajasthan’s latest successful chase against Punjab and their highest team total in this head-to-head rivalry.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Biggest Wins
Rajasthan Royals’ Biggest Win
Rajasthan’s biggest victory by runs came in 2009, when they defeated Kings XI Punjab by 78 runs in Durban.
RR scored 211/4 and then restricted Punjab to 133/8.
Another major Rajasthan victory came in 2025, when they defeated Punjab by 50 runs in Mullanpur.
Punjab Kings’ Biggest Win
Punjab’s biggest win by runs came in 2011, when Kings XI Punjab defeated Rajasthan by 48 runs in Mohali.
Punjab scored 195/7 and Rajasthan could only manage 147/7.
Highest Team Scores in RR vs PBKS Matches
| Team | Score | Season | Result |
| Rajasthan Royals | 228/4 | 2026 | RR won by 6 wickets |
| Rajasthan Royals | 226/6 | 2020 | RR won by 4 wickets |
| Punjab Kings | 223/2 | 2020 | RR won by 4 wickets |
| Punjab Kings | 221/3 | 2008 | PBKS won by 41 runs |
| Punjab Kings | 221/6 | 2021 | PBKS won by 4 runs |
Rajasthan’s 228/4 in 2026 is currently their highest score against Punjab, while Punjab’s highest is 223/2, made during the famous 2020 Sharjah match.
Lowest Team Scores in RR vs PBKS Matches
The rivalry has also witnessed some much lower totals.
Punjab were bowled out for 124 in Jaipur in 2013, while Rajasthan have also experienced difficult batting performances against Punjab.
The contrast between these low-scoring games and contests such as the 2020 and 2026 high-scoring chases illustrates how dramatically the nature of the RR-PBKS rivalry has changed over time.
Top Run Scorers in Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Matches
Several outstanding batters have made their mark in this fixture.
The notable individual records include:
| Record | Player | Performance |
| Highest RR individual score | Sanju Samson | 119 |
| Highest PBKS individual score | Shaun Marsh | 115 |
Sanju Samson’s 119 remains Rajasthan’s highest individual innings against Punjab. Shaun Marsh’s 115 is Punjab’s highest individual score in the fixture.
Sanju Samson’s 2021 hundred-plus performance is particularly memorable because it came in a match Rajasthan ultimately lost by only four runs.
Top Wicket-Takers in RR vs PBKS History
Bowling has also played an important role in the rivalry.
According to the recorded head-to-head statistics, Rajasthan’s best individual bowling figures are Kevon Cooper’s 4/26 in 2012, while Punjab’s best are Arshdeep Singh’s 5/32 in 2021.
Some of the leading wicket-taking names across the wider rivalry include:
- Jofra Archer
- Siddharth Trivedi
- James Faulkner
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Kevon Cooper
These bowlers have been especially important in matches where the batting sides posted competitive totals.
Best Individual Performances in RR vs PBKS History
Best Batting Performances
Sanju Samson’s 119 is Rajasthan’s highest individual score in the matchup.
Other major batting performances include:
- Shane Watson’s unbeaten 76 in the first-ever meeting.
- Michael Lumb’s 83 in Rajasthan’s nine-wicket victory in 2010.
- Shaun Marsh’s 115 for Punjab.
- High-impact batting performances during the 2020 Sharjah run-fest.
- Rajasthan’s successful 228/4 chase in 2026.
These performances demonstrate the importance of top-order batting in this particular fixture.
Best Bowling Performances
Kevon Cooper’s 4/26 in 2012 remains Rajasthan’s best bowling figures against Punjab.
For Punjab, Arshdeep Singh’s 5/32 in 2021 is the standout performance.
The rivalry has frequently rewarded bowlers who can handle pressure during the final overs, particularly when the batting side is chasing a large total.
RR vs PBKS: Key Players Who Defined the Rivalry
Rajasthan Royals Players
Shane Watson
Watson was central to the early rivalry. His unbeaten 76 in the first RR-PBKS match immediately made an impact.
Sanju Samson
Samson has become one of the most important modern Rajasthan players in this matchup. His 119 in 2021 remains the highest individual score by an RR batter against Punjab.
Michael Lumb
Lumb’s 83 from 43 balls in 2010 helped Rajasthan complete a nine-wicket victory.
Kevon Cooper
Cooper’s 4/26 in 2012 remains Rajasthan’s best bowling figures against Punjab.
Jofra Archer
Archer’s performance in the 2025 meeting was another important contribution, as Rajasthan won by 50 runs.
Punjab Kings Players
Shaun Marsh
Marsh’s 115 remains Punjab’s highest individual score against Rajasthan.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep’s 5/32 in 2021 is Punjab’s best bowling performance in the fixture.
Sam Curran
Curran played a key role in Punjab’s 2024 victory in Guwahati and was named Player of the Match.
Harpreet Brar
Brar’s 3/22 helped Punjab defeat Rajasthan by 10 runs in Jaipur in 2025.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Rivalry: Key Trends
Rajasthan Have the Overall Advantage
With 18 wins from 31 matches, Rajasthan have historically performed better against Punjab. Their winning percentage is just above 58 percent.
Close Matches Are Common
The fixture has produced several narrow victories:
- RR won by 2 runs in 2021.
- PBKS won by 4 runs in 2021.
- PBKS won by 5 runs in 2023.
- RR won by 3 wickets in 2024.
- PBKS won by 10 runs in 2025.
This makes RR vs PBKS one of the more unpredictable fixtures on the IPL calendar.
High Scores Have Become Increasingly Important
Modern meetings have featured extremely high totals. Punjab scored 223/2 in 2020, Rajasthan replied with 226/6, and RR later reached 228/4 against Punjab in 2026.
Rajasthan Have Enjoyed Strong Results in Jaipur
Rajasthan’s home record against Punjab has historically been positive. The official Rajasthan Royals head-to-head page notes that RR have won five of their seven meetings against Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
RR vs PBKS in High-Pressure Situations
Although the majority of RR-PBKS matches have been league-stage games, many have carried significant consequences for the teams’ IPL campaigns.
The rivalry has repeatedly produced must-win situations, particularly during the later stages of seasons when playoff qualification has been at stake.
The 2023 Dharamsala match is a good example of a late-season encounter: Rajasthan won by four wickets while pursuing a competitive Punjab total.
The 2025 matches also demonstrated how the two sides could trade victories during the same campaign, with RR winning the first meeting by 50 runs before PBKS responded with a 10-run victory in Jaipur.
The important distinction is that these should be described as high-pressure league matches, rather than playoff matches, unless the game itself was officially a playoff fixture.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Recent Form
The most recent period of the rivalry has remained highly competitive.
In 2024, Rajasthan and Punjab split their two matches.
In 2025, the pattern repeated: Rajasthan won by 50 runs in Mullanpur, while Punjab won by 10 runs in Jaipur.
The latest meeting in 2026 swung back in Rajasthan’s favor. Punjab scored 222/4, but Rajasthan chased the target in 19.2 overs, finishing at 228/4.
That result also extended Rajasthan’s overall advantage to 18-13.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline: Important Milestones
Here are the major milestones from the rivalry:
- 2008: Rajasthan won the first-ever meeting.
- 2008: Punjab recorded their first victory over Rajasthan.
- 2009: Rajasthan registered a 78-run win in Durban.
- 2010: Rajasthan won by nine wickets in Jaipur.
- 2012: Kevon Cooper recorded 4/26.
- 2013: Rajasthan completed a 2-0 season sweep.
- 2015: The teams played a tied match decided by a Super Over.
- 2018: The rivalry resumed after Rajasthan’s two-year IPL suspension.
- 2019: Punjab won both matches.
- 2020: Rajasthan chased 224 against Punjab in one of IPL’s most memorable high-scoring games.
- 2021: Sanju Samson scored 119 against Punjab.
- 2021: Rajasthan won another thriller by two runs.
- 2023: Punjab won by five runs in Guwahati.
- 2024: The teams split their two meetings.
- 2025: Rajasthan won by 50 runs before Punjab won the return fixture by 10 runs.
- 2026: Rajasthan chased 222/4 and scored 228/4, recording their 18th win over Punjab.
RR vs PBKS: Who Has the Upper Hand?
Based on the complete Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings timeline, Rajasthan currently have the upper hand.
RR have won 18 of 31 matches, compared with Punjab’s 13 victories. That gives Rajasthan a five-match advantage in the all-time head-to-head record.
However, calling the rivalry one-sided would be misleading.
Punjab have produced important winning streaks, including their two victories in 2014 and both matches in 2019. The Super Over victory in 2015 is another example of Punjab succeeding in an extremely close contest.
Rajasthan, meanwhile, have produced some of the rivalry’s biggest performances, including the 78-run victory in 2009, the nine-wicket win in 2010, the 226-run chase in 2020 and the 228/4 chase in 2026.
The modern rivalry is particularly difficult to predict because both teams have demonstrated the ability to win from challenging positions.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings timeline is a story of changing fortunes, explosive batting and remarkably close finishes. From their first meeting in 2008 to the latest contest in 2026, the two franchises have produced 31 matches, with Rajasthan holding an 18-13 advantage.
The rivalry has included everything an IPL fan could want: Shane Watson’s brilliant 76 in the first meeting, Rajasthan’s 78-run victory in Durban, a Super Over in 2015, the extraordinary 226-run chase in Sharjah in 2020, Sanju Samson’s 119 in 2021 and Rajasthan’s 228/4 chase in 2026.
What makes the matchup particularly interesting is that the head-to-head numbers do not always reflect how competitive the individual matches have been. Punjab have repeatedly pushed Rajasthan close, while Rajasthan have also produced some extraordinary comeback victories.
With both franchises continuing to evolve, the RR vs PBKS rivalry is likely to add plenty of new chapters to this timeline. For fans searching for Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings match history, the current record clearly favors Rajasthan—but the history of this fixture shows that Punjab Kings are more than capable of changing the story whenever the two teams meet.
FAQs
1.When did Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings first play each other?
Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings first met on April 21, 2008, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rajasthan won the match by six wickets.
2.How many times have Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings played in the IPL?
They have played 31 IPL matches against each other through the latest completed meeting in 2026.
3.Who has won more matches between RR and PBKS?
Rajasthan Royals have won more matches. RR have 18 victories, while Punjab Kings have won 13.
4.What is the RR vs PBKS head-to-head record?
The current RR vs PBKS head-to-head record is 31 matches, 18 RR wins and 13 PBKS wins, with no ties or no-results.
5.What is the highest score in RR vs PBKS matches?
Rajasthan Royals’ highest score is 228/4, made while chasing Punjab’s 222/4 in 2026. Punjab Kings’ highest score is 223/2, made in the famous 2020 Sharjah match.
6.What is the lowest score in RR vs PBKS matches?
Punjab were bowled out for 124 against Rajasthan in their 2013 meeting in Jaipur. The rivalry has otherwise included a wide range of scores, from low totals to enormous 200-plus innings.
7.Who has scored the most runs in RR vs PBKS matches?
Sanju Samson holds Rajasthan’s highest individual score in the fixture with 119, while Shaun Marsh holds Punjab’s highest individual score with 115.
8.Who has taken the most wickets in RR vs PBKS matches?
The all-time wicket-taking list includes several notable bowlers, while Rajasthan’s best individual bowling figures are Kevon Cooper’s 4/26 and Punjab’s best are Arshdeep Singh’s 5/32.
9.What was the most memorable RR vs PBKS match?
The 2020 Sharjah match is one of the strongest candidates. Punjab scored 223/2, but Rajasthan chased the target by reaching 226/6 in 19.3 overs. The 2015 Super Over and several close 2021 encounters are also among the rivalry’s most memorable matches.
10.When was the latest Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings match?
The latest completed meeting was on April 28, 2026, in New Chandigarh. Punjab scored 222/4 and Rajasthan chased it down with 228/4 in 19.2 overs, winning by six wickets.
