IPL 2026: PBKS vs RR, Match 40 – Top player battles to watch out for

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been two of the better teams so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They will go head-to-head on Tuesday, April 28, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Punjab Kings have been led superbly by Shreyas Iyer. Last year, they finished second, but in IPL 2026, they are the team to beat. The Kings have won six out of the seven games they have played so far. One of their games against the Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season was washed out.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals had a memorable start to the campaign, winning four games in a row. However, in their last four matches, they have won just one and lost three. In their most recent clash, Rajasthan lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets.

Here are 3 player battles for PBKS vs RR, Match 40 of IPL 2026:

3. Shreyas Iyer vs Ravi Bishnoi

Shreyas Iyer played a match-winning knock of 71* off 36 balls against the Delhi Capitals in the last game, helping them register the world record for chasing the highest total in T20I cricket. On Saturday, the Kings defeated the Delhi Capitals by six wickets, chasing down 265 runs. In six innings, Shreyas has scored 279 at an average of 69.75 and a strike rate of 186.

Ravi Bishnoi failed to make a mark while playing for LSG last year. However, this season, he has made the ball do the talking. In eight matches, he has 11 wickets at an average of 20.82. His contest through the middle overs against Shreyas Iyer would be intriguing to watch.

2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Arshdeep Singh

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with a 35-ball century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who went on to win the high-scoring game by five wickets. So far in IPL 2026, the young left-handed batter has amassed 357 runs in eight matches at an average of 44.63 and a strike rate of 234.57. He has hit 31 fours and 32 sixes so far this year.

Arshdeep Singh has taken only seven wickets in as many matches at an average of 37.29 and an economy rate of 10.04. However, he is a man for big occasions and could play a significant role on Tuesday. If he can get the new ball to swing, it will make things difficult not just for Sooryavanshi but also for his dangerous opening partner, Yashasvi Jaisal.

1. Priyansh Arya vs Jofra Archer

Priyansh Arya has been in staggering form this season. He has scored 254 runs in six innings. His average is 42.33, and he has a strike rate of 249.02. Arya will look to get his side off to a blistering start, something which he and his opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh, have time and again.

Jofra Archer has already dismissed three batters for ducks in the first ball of the matches in IPL 2026. He has been breathing fire, bowling some thunderbolts at the opposition batters. On Tuesday, he would be the key with the new ball against the destructive PBKS openers.