Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline | IPL Rivalry
For cricket fans who have followed the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008, few rivalries have delivered the kind of consistent drama, close finishes, and power-packed performances like Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals.
Watching these two teams square off always stirs a mix of nostalgia and adrenaline, whether it’s Sanju Samson’s swashbuckling centuries or Shaun Marsh’s iconic innings from the early days.
With every season, this match-up continues to write new chapters in IPL folklore. In this blog, we explore the timeline of matches between PBKS and RR, highlighting memorable moments, key statistics, player brilliance, and a preview of what’s next in the 2025 season.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – Head-to-Head Record Overview
Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have met 28 times. Rajasthan Royals have won 16 of those clashes, while Punjab Kings emerged victorious 12 times.
RR vs PBKS Head-to-Head
| Matches Played | RR Wins | PBKS Wins | Tie | No Result |
| 28 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Some notable victories in their rivalry include:
- RR’s biggest win by wickets: A 9-wicket win in 2010 at Jaipur, with Michael Lumb scoring 83 off 43 balls.
- RR’s biggest win by runs: A 78-run win in 2009 at Kingsmead, Durban.
- RR’s highest team score: 226/6 in 2020, powered by Sanju Samson’s 85.
- PBKS’s highest team score: 223/2 in the same 2020 game.
- Best individual batting (RR): Sanju Samson’s 119 off 63 balls in IPL 2021.
- Best individual batting (PBKS): Shaun Marsh’s 115 in 2008.
- Best bowling (RR): Kevon Cooper – 4/26 (2012).
- Best bowling (PBKS): Arshdeep Singh – 5/32 (2021).
PBKS vs RR Timeline from 2008 to 2024
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Let’s look back at the year-wise match results between the two teams, showing how this rivalry has evolved over time.
| Year | Venue | Result |
| 2008 | Jaipur | RR won by 6 wickets |
| 2008 | Mohali | PBKS won by 41 runs |
| 2009 | Cape Town | PBKS won by 27 runs |
| 2009 | Durban | RR won by 78 runs |
| 2010 | Mohali | RR won by 31 runs |
| 2010 | Jaipur | RR won by 9 wickets |
| 2011 | Mohali | PBKS won by 48 runs |
| 2012 | Jaipur | RR won by 31 runs |
| 2012 | Mohali | RR won by 43 runs |
| 2013 | Jaipur | RR won by 6 wickets |
| 2013 | Mohali | RR won by 8 wickets |
| 2014 | Sharjah | PBKS won by 7 wickets |
| 2014 | Mohali | PBKS won by 16 runs |
| 2015 | Pune | RR won by 26 runs |
| 2015 | Ahmedabad | PBKS won in One-Over Eliminator |
| 2018 | Indore | PBKS won by 6 wickets |
| 2018 | Jaipur | RR won by 15 runs |
| 2019 | Jaipur | PBKS won by 14 runs |
| 2019 | Mohali | PBKS won by 12 runs |
| 2020 | Sharjah | RR won by 4 wickets |
| 2020 | Abu Dhabi | RR won by 7 wickets |
| 2021 | Mumbai | PBKS won by 4 runs |
| 2021 | Dubai | RR won by 2 runs |
| 2022 | Mumbai | RR won by 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Guwahati | PBKS won by 5 runs |
| 2023 | Dharamsala | RR won by 4 wickets |
| 2024 | Mullanpur | RR won by 3 wickets |
| 2024 | Guwahati | PBKS won by 5 wickets |
Key Moments and Match Breakdowns Through the Years
Several matches stand out in this thrilling rivalry:
- 2020 Sharjah: A record-breaking chase where RR chased down 223 runs with Rahul Tewatia’s iconic five sixes in an over.
- 2021 Mumbai: Sanju Samson’s heroic 119 fell short by just 4 runs – one of the closest finishes in IPL history.
- 2015 One-Over Eliminator: A rare tie settled in a super over that PBKS clinched.
- 2019: The infamous “Mankading” controversy involving R Ashwin and Jos Buttler stirred debate and drama.
These moments reflect not just stats, but emotions and unpredictability that define IPL.
IPL 2024 Highlights: Recent PBKS vs RR Clashes
The 2024 season continued the trend of nail-biters:
- Match 1 (Mullanpur): Rajasthan Royals clinched a 3-wicket win in a last-over thriller.
- Match 2 (Guwahati): Punjab Kings turned the tables with a 5-wicket win, thanks to disciplined bowling and a measured chase.
Both teams have traded victories, keeping their rivalry neck-and-neck going into 2025.
Classic PBKS vs RR Battles That Made Headlines
Some of the most unforgettable matches in IPL history have featured these two:
- RR 226/6 vs PBKS in 2020 – Highest total for RR and an unforgettable Tewatia performance.
- PBKS vs RR 2021 – Mumbai – Samson’s 119, though in a losing cause, remains one of IPL’s finest knocks.
- 2015 Super Over – A tied match that left fans on the edge of their seats.
These classic encounters make every PBKS vs RR clash a must-watch.
IPL 2025 Preview: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Showdown
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The upcoming IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals promises to be another riveting encounter.
Match Details
| Date & Time | 05 April, 07:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh |
| TV/Streaming | Star Sports Network, JioCinema |
This will be the 18th match of the IPL 2025 season, hosted in Chandigarh. The new venue has seen balanced contests so far, with moderate scores and help for pace bowlers.
Standout Players in the PBKS vs RR Fixture
Rajasthan Royals
- Sanju Samson – In red-hot form and a consistent run-getter vs PBKS.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Can take the game away in the powerplay.
- Jofra Archer – Returns with pace and bounce.
Punjab Kings
- Shreyas Iyer – Leads the batting attack with poise.
- Glenn Maxwell – X-factor with bat and ball.
- Arshdeep Singh – RR’s nemesis with deadly yorkers.
Pitch Conditions and Weather Forecast for Match Day
Pitch Report – Chandigarh
| Parameter | Report |
| Pitch | Fast & Bouncy |
| Pace Bowling | High Impact |
| Batting Conditions | Moderate |
| Spin Bowling | Average Assistance |
Weather Forecast – 04 April 2025
| Temperature | 27°C |
| Humidity | 26% |
| Rain Probability | 0% |
| Wind Speed | 7 kmph |
| Sky | Clear |
Predicted Line-ups for PBKS vs RR – IPL 2025 Clash
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Punjab Kings – Expected Playing XI
| Players |
| Priyansh Aryan |
| Prabhsimran Singh (wk) |
| Marcus Stoinis |
| Shreyas Iyer (c) |
| Nehal Wadhera |
| Glenn Maxwell |
| Shashank Singh |
| Marco Jansen |
| Suyansh Shedge |
| Arshdeep Singh |
| Lockie Ferguson |
Substitutes: Nehal Wadhera, Praveen Dubey, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod
Rajasthan Royals – Expected Playing XI
| Players |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Sanju Samson (wk) |
| Nitish Rana |
| Riyan Parag (c) |
| Dhruv Jurel |
| Shimron Hetmyer |
| Shubhman Dubey |
| Wanindu Hasaranga |
| Jofra Archer |
| Maheesh Theekshana |
| Sandeep Sharma |
Substitutes: Shubham Dubey, Kunal Singh, Kwena Mapakha, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal
Final Thoughts on the PBKS vs RR Rivalry
From explosive batting performances to nail-biting finishes, the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals timeline is packed with excitement. As we look ahead to the 2025 clash, this rivalry promises another memorable chapter in IPL history.
With evolving squads, changing strategies, and unpredictable match results, fans can expect nothing less than fireworks when these two powerhouses meet again.
FAQs About PBKS vs RR Rivalry
What is the overall win percentage of Rajasthan Royals against PBKS?
Rajasthan Royals have won 16 of 28 matches, giving them a win rate of approximately 57% against Punjab Kings.
Who scored the most runs in PBKS vs RR history?
Sanju Samson leads with multiple half-centuries and a century, including a high score of 119 in IPL 2021.
Which ground has hosted the most PBKS vs RR games?
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has hosted the most PBKS vs RR matches.
Who has the best bowling figures in a PBKS vs RR match?
Arshdeep Singh’s 5/32 in IPL 2021 remains the best by a PBKS player, while Kevon Cooper holds the RR record with 4/26.
What was the highest total in a PBKS vs RR match?
RR’s 226/6 and PBKS’s 223/2 in IPL 2020 at Sharjah are the highest team totals between these sides.
Has any PBKS vs RR match ended in a tie?
Yes, their 2015 match ended in a tie and was decided via a Super Over, which PBKS won.
Who are the key players to watch in IPL 2025’s PBKS vs RR fixture?
Key players include Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Jofra Archer.
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