Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have developed an entertaining rivalry in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Both teams were part of the inaugural IPL season in 2008, and their meetings have regularly produced high-scoring contests, dramatic finishes and memorable individual performances.Punjab vs Rajasthan Head-to-Head in IPL
Punjab Kings originally played under the name Kings XI Punjab before adopting the Punjab Kings name in 2021. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have retained their original name since the beginning of the competition. The two franchises have experienced very different fortunes in the IPL, but their head-to-head contests have remained competitive.
As of the latest completed meeting in IPL 2026, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have played 31 matches against each other. Rajasthan Royals have won 18 matches, while Punjab Kings have won 13. There have been no ties and no no-results in their 31 meetings.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Punjab Kings | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 | 31 |
| Matches Won | 13 | 18 |
| Matches Lost | 18 | 13 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Overall Advantage | — | Rajasthan Royals |
Rajasthan therefore have a clear advantage in the overall head-to-head record, winning 18 of the 31 completed matches. Punjab have won 13.Punjab vs Rajasthan Head-to-Head in IPL
Beginning of the Rivalry
The first Punjab vs Rajasthan match was played on April 21, 2008, during the inaugural IPL season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Rajasthan Royals won the match by six wickets. Shane Watson was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 76 from 49 balls, while legendary Rajasthan captain Shane Warne took three wickets for 19 runs.
Punjab responded in the second meeting of the 2008 season, defeating Rajasthan by 41 runs. This early exchange established the competitive nature of the rivalry.
Both teams have since produced numerous close encounters, with the result often depending on performances during the final few overs.
Rajasthan Royals’ Overall Dominance
Rajasthan Royals have historically enjoyed the better record against Punjab. Their 18 victories compared with Punjab’s 13 give them a five-match advantage in the rivalry.
One of Rajasthan’s biggest victories came in the 2010 season, when the Royals defeated Punjab by nine wickets in Jaipur. Michael Lumb scored 83 from only 43 balls, including 16 boundaries, to lead Rajasthan to a comfortable victory.
Rajasthan have also produced several impressive bowling performances against Punjab. In IPL 2012, Kevon Cooper took 4/26 as Rajasthan defeated Punjab by 31 runs. His spell remains one of the standout bowling performances in this fixture.
Punjab Kings’ Memorable Victories
Although Rajasthan lead the overall record, Punjab Kings have also produced several outstanding performances.
One of the most memorable Punjab victories came in IPL 2020, when Kings XI Punjab defeated Rajasthan Royals by 12 runs in a high-scoring match. Punjab scored 223/2, with their powerful batting lineup putting Rajasthan under enormous pressure.
The match was eventually decided by Punjab’s ability to defend their total despite Rajasthan’s aggressive batting.
Punjab also defeated Rajasthan by four runs in their 2021 meeting at Wankhede Stadium. Punjab scored 221/6, while Rajasthan replied with 217/7. The four-run margin demonstrated how closely matched the teams could be when both batting lineups performed at their best.
IPL 2021: Another Close Contest
The 2021 season produced another memorable Punjab-Rajasthan contest.
Punjab scored 221/6, powered by a strong batting performance. Rajasthan responded with 217/7, but Punjab held their nerve to win by four runs.
However, Rajasthan later gained revenge in the same rivalry by winning a low-scoring contest in Dubai. The Royals dismissed Punjab for 185, before chasing the target successfully and winning by two runs.
These matches perfectly represent the rivalry: high-scoring innings, aggressive batting and extremely small winning margins.
IPL 2022: Rajasthan Continue Their Advantage
The 2022 season saw Rajasthan Royals continue their strong record against Punjab.
In their meeting at Wankhede Stadium, Rajasthan scored 190/4 and successfully defended the total against Punjab, who finished on 189/5. Rajasthan won by only two runs.
The match was another example of Rajasthan’s ability to perform under pressure. Punjab came extremely close to the target, but the Royals held their nerve in the final stages.
IPL 2023: One Win Each
The 2023 season produced one victory for each side.
Punjab Kings won the first meeting by five runs after scoring 197/4, while Rajasthan replied with 192/7. It was a close match in which Punjab successfully defended their total.
Rajasthan responded later in the season. They chased Punjab’s 187/5 and reached 189/6, winning by four wickets.
The split results demonstrated that neither team could claim complete control over the matchup.
IPL 2024: Another Split Result
The two teams again met twice in IPL 2024, with both sides winning one match.
In the first encounter, Rajasthan Royals scored 152/7 and defeated Punjab Kings by three wickets. The Royals successfully completed the chase despite Punjab putting up a competitive total.
Punjab then produced a response in the return fixture. They restricted Rajasthan to 144/9 before chasing the target and reaching 145/5. Punjab won by five wickets.
The 2024 results once again highlighted the competitive balance between the teams despite Rajasthan’s superior overall record.
IPL 2025: Rajasthan Strike First
The 2025 season saw Rajasthan Royals produce an impressive victory over Punjab Kings.
On April 5, Rajasthan scored 205/4, while Punjab managed only 155/9. Rajasthan won by 50 runs, one of their more convincing victories against Punjab in recent seasons.
Punjab responded strongly in the second meeting on May 18. They scored 219/5, while Rajasthan reached 209/7. Punjab won by 10 runs in another high-scoring thriller.
Therefore, the teams split their two 2025 encounters.
Latest Punjab vs Rajasthan Match: IPL 2026
The latest meeting between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals took place on April 28, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Punjab Kings batted first and posted an imposing 222/4 in 20 overs. Rajasthan Royals then produced a spectacular chase, reaching 228/4 in 19.2 overs.
Rajasthan won by six wickets, completing one of their highest successful run chases against Punjab.
The victory was particularly significant because Rajasthan’s 228/4 became their highest team total against Punjab Kings. The result also extended Rajasthan’s overall head-to-head advantage to 18-13.
Highest Team Scores
Punjab vs Rajasthan has produced some enormous team totals.
Rajasthan Royals’ highest score against Punjab is 228/4, achieved during IPL 2026. Punjab’s highest score against Rajasthan is 223/2, which came during IPL 2020.
These scores demonstrate the batting-friendly nature of several matches between the teams.
Punjab’s 223/2 in 2020 was particularly impressive because it was built around an outstanding batting display. Rajasthan’s 228/4 in 2026 was even more remarkable because it came during a successful run chase.
Individual Records in the Rivalry
Several batsmen have produced memorable performances in Punjab-Rajasthan matches.
For Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson owns the highest individual score in this fixture, with 119 runs, scored during IPL 2021.
For Punjab Kings, Shaun Marsh scored 115 runs against Rajasthan during the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
These innings remain among the most memorable individual batting performances in the history of the rivalry.
On the bowling side, Rajasthan’s Kevon Cooper recorded figures of 4/26 in IPL 2012. For Punjab, Arshdeep Singh produced an outstanding 5/32 against Rajasthan in IPL 2021.
Recent Head-to-Head Trend
The recent rivalry has been relatively balanced despite Rajasthan’s overall advantage.
In the last 10 matches before and including their 2026 meeting, Rajasthan have won six while Punjab have won four. The IPL’s official match record shows victories for both sides across 2023, 2024 and 2025.
This recent pattern indicates that Punjab are capable of challenging Rajasthan even though the Royals have the stronger historical record.
The 2025 season was split between the teams, while Rajasthan won the first meeting of 2026 by six wickets after chasing 223.
Punjab vs Rajasthan: Key Players
The rivalry has featured many prominent IPL cricketers.
For Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson has been one of the most important players. His leadership and batting have repeatedly influenced matches against Punjab. Other notable Rajasthan performers include Shane Watson, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal and several outstanding bowlers.
Punjab Kings have also had several important players in this matchup. Shaun Marsh was an early star, while more recent contributors have included KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh and other leading Punjab players.
The combination of experienced stars and young Indian talent has helped maintain the rivalry’s popularity.
Why the Punjab-Rajasthan Rivalry Is Special
The Punjab vs Rajasthan rivalry is particularly entertaining because matches between the teams frequently produce narrow margins.
There have been several victories by fewer than 10 runs, as well as successful run chases that have gone deep into the final overs. The 2026 match was another example, with Rajasthan chasing 223 and reaching the target with four balls remaining.
Both teams also have a tradition of aggressive batting. As a result, their matches can quickly turn into high-scoring contests.
At the same time, both franchises have produced quality bowling attacks capable of changing the course of a match. This balance between explosive batting and wicket-taking bowling makes the fixture unpredictable.
Punjab vs Rajasthan Head-to-Head: Key Facts
- Total IPL matches: 31
- Punjab Kings wins: 13
- Rajasthan Royals wins: 18
- Ties: 0
- No results: 0
- Rajasthan’s highest score: 228/4
- Punjab’s highest score: 223/2
- Rajasthan’s highest individual score: Sanju Samson – 119
- Punjab’s highest individual score: Shaun Marsh – 115
- Rajasthan’s best bowling: Kevon Cooper – 4/26
- Punjab’s best bowling: Arshdeep Singh – 5/32
- Latest meeting: April 28, 2026
- Latest winner: Rajasthan Royals
- Latest winning margin: 6 wickets
Conclusion
The Punjab vs Rajasthan head-to-head rivalry in IPL has produced some of the tournament’s most exciting matches. After 31 completed encounters, Rajasthan Royals lead the overall record with 18 victories, while Punjab Kings have won 13.
The rivalry began in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and has continued to deliver memorable moments. Rajasthan’s early success included their first-ever victory over Punjab, while Punjab have responded with impressive high-scoring wins of their own.
Recent seasons have demonstrated that the gap between the teams is not always reflected in the overall record. Punjab won one match each in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while Rajasthan have also produced several close victories.
The latest meeting in IPL 2026 was another classic. Punjab scored 222/4, but Rajasthan chased down the target with a score of 228/4, winning by six wickets. The result strengthened Rajasthan’s historical advantage and gave them their 18th victory against Punjab.
With talented batsmen, quality bowlers and a history of close finishes, Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals remains an exciting IPL rivalry. Punjab will be eager to reduce the five-match gap in future meetings, while Rajasthan will look to maintain their dominance in the head-to-head record.