Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have developed one of the most entertaining rivalries in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Both teams have produced high-scoring matches, close finishes, memorable individual performances and dramatic victories over the years. Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other regularly since the inaugural IPL season in 2008.Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head in IPL
As of the end of the 2026 IPL season, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have played 31 matches against each other. Rajasthan Royals have the advantage with 18 wins, while Punjab Kings have won 13 matches. There have been no tied matches or no-results in their overall head-to-head record.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head Record
| Head-to-Head Record | Punjab Kings | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 | 31 |
| Matches Won | 13 | 18 |
| Matches Lost | 18 | 13 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage* | 41.94% | 58.06% |
*Win percentage calculated from completed matches.Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head in IPL
The numbers show that Rajasthan Royals have been the more successful side in this particular IPL rivalry. However, the gap is not so large that Punjab Kings can be considered out of contention. Several PBKS victories have come in close and high-pressure games.
Recent Head-to-Head Results
The rivalry has remained competitive in recent IPL seasons. In 2026, Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets after chasing 223 successfully. Punjab Kings had scored 222/4, but RR reached 228/4 in 19.2 overs.
In 2025, the teams met twice. Rajasthan Royals won the first encounter by 50 runs after scoring 205/4, while Punjab Kings responded with a 10-run victory in the return match, scoring 219/5 against RR’s 209/7.
This recent pattern demonstrates why PBKS vs RR matches are difficult to predict. Both sides have shown the ability to dominate with either the bat or ball.
Biggest Wins in the Rivalry
Rajasthan Royals have involved substantial margins.
Rajasthan Royals recorded a 78-run victory in 2009, one of the largest wins in this rivalry. RR scored 211/4 before restricting Punjab to 133/8.
Punjab’s biggest victories have also included convincing performances. In 2011, Punjab defeated Rajasthan by 48 runs, while in 2012 RR won by 43 runs. These matches helped establish the competitive nature of the fixture.
Another important result came in 2025 when RR defeated PBKS by 50 runs at Mullanpur. Jofra Archer was named Player of the Match after taking 3/25, while Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 67 from 45 balls.
Highest Team Totals
The PBKS-RR rivalry has frequently produced huge totals.
Punjab Kings posted 223/2 in 2020, but Rajasthan Royals successfully chased the target by scoring 226/6. That remains one of the most remarkable high-scoring games between the teams.
Punjab also scored 221/6 in 2021, although RR came close with 217/7. More recently, PBKS scored 222/4 in 2026, only for Rajasthan to chase it down with 228/4.
These results show that batting has often dominated this particular rivalry, especially when the teams have played on good batting surfaces.
Memorable Matches Between PBKS and RR
1. 2008 – Rajasthan Royals Win by Six Wickets
One of the earliest meetings between the teams took place during the inaugural IPL season. Rajasthan Royals chased down Punjab’s total and established themselves as a strong opponent in the new tournament.
2. 2015 – Punjab Kings Win in a Super Over
The 2015 meeting was one of the most dramatic games in the rivalry. Both teams scored 191 in their 20 overs, forcing a Super Over. Punjab eventually won the Super Over, making the match one of the closest contests between the two franchises.
3. 2020 – Rajasthan’s Famous Chase
In 2020, Punjab scored a massive 223/2. Rajasthan Royals responded with 226/6, completing a four-wicket victory. The match became famous for its extraordinary batting and Rajasthan’s successful chase.
4. 2021 – A Two-Run Thriller
Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by just two runs in the 2021 season. RR scored 185/10, while Punjab finished on 183/4. The narrow margin highlighted how even a strong batting performance could fall short in this rivalry.
5. 2025 – Punjab’s Ten-Run Victory
Punjab Kings produced an important win in 2025, scoring 219/5 before restricting Rajasthan Royals to 209/7. Harpreet Brar played a key role with 3/22 and was named Player of the Match.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Over the years, several outstanding players have contributed to PBKS vs RR matches.
For Punjab Kings, players such as KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Arshdeep Singh and Harpreet Brar have produced memorable performances. Their contributions have come in different phases of the rivalry, with some dominating with the bat and others making an impact with the ball.
Rajasthan Royals have also had several major contributors. Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Shane Watson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jofra Archer and Yuzvendra Chahal have all played important roles in matches involving the two teams. Historical head-to-head statistics also list Jos Buttler and Shane Watson among the leading run-scorers in the rivalry, while Jofra Archer, Siddharth Trivedi, James Faulkner and Yuzvendra Chahal feature prominently among the leading wicket-takers.
Why Rajasthan Royals Have the Edge
There are several reasons why Rajasthan Royals have maintained an advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
First, RR have consistently possessed match-winning bowling options. Their ability to take wickets during the powerplay and control the middle overs has often put pressure on Punjab’s batting lineup.
Second, Rajasthan have frequently produced explosive batting performances. Their successful chase of 223 in 2020 and 228 in 2026 demonstrates their ability to handle difficult targets.
Third, RR have generally been able to perform well in close matches. Several victories have come by only a few wickets or runs, showing their ability to handle pressure during the final overs.
Punjab Kings’ Strengths
Despite trailing in the overall head-to-head record, Punjab Kings have repeatedly challenged Rajasthan Royals.
PBKS have won 13 of their 31 meetings, and their victories include several impressive performances. Their 2021 win by four runs, 2023 five-run victory and 2025 ten-run victory show that Punjab can defend competitive totals against Rajasthan.
Punjab’s biggest strength has often been its combination of explosive batting and aggressive fast bowling. When their top-order batsmen provide a strong platform and their bowlers execute their plans in the death overs, PBKS can defeat RR even in high-scoring matches.
Overall Rivalry
The Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals rivalry has produced some of the IPL’s most entertaining matches. From Super Over drama to enormous successful chases, the fixture has repeatedly delivered exciting cricket.
Rajasthan Royals currently hold the statistical advantage with 18 wins from 31 matches, compared with Punjab Kings’ 13 victories.
However, the head-to-head record does not fully describe how competitive many of these matches have been. Several contests have been decided by only a few runs or wickets, while both teams have recorded huge totals.
Conclusion
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals is a rivalry filled with attacking cricket, big scores and dramatic finishes. Rajasthan Royals have the upper hand in the overall IPL head-to-head record, winning 18 of 31 matches, while Punjab Kings have won 13.
The recent meetings have remained highly competitive. Rajasthan’s six-wicket victory in 2026 came after chasing 223, while Punjab’s 10-run win in 2025 showed that PBKS can still challenge RR strongly.
With both franchises continuing to build squads around powerful batsmen, talented bowlers and exciting young players, future PBKS vs RR encounters are likely to produce even more memorable moments. For IPL fans, this remains a fixture worth watching whenever the two sides meet.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times have Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals played against each other in the IPL?
Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other 31 times in IPL history.
2. Who has won more matches between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals?
Rajasthan Royals have the better head-to-head record, with 18 wins, while Punjab Kings have won 13 matches.
3. What is Rajasthan Royals’ biggest win against Punjab Kings?
Rajasthan Royals recorded a 78-run victory over Punjab Kings in the 2009 IPL season, one of their biggest wins in this rivalry.
4. What is the highest team total in Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals matches?
One of the highest totals came in 2020, when Punjab Kings scored 223/2 before Rajasthan Royals chased the target with 226/6.
5. Which team has the better head-to-head record in IPL?
Rajasthan Royals have the better overall head-to-head record against Punjab Kings, leading 18–13 after 31 matches.