Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League carry as much unpredictability and drama as the clash between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. From last-ball thrillers to record-breaking batting displays, this matchup has delivered unforgettable cricket since the very first season. If you’ve been searching for the complete punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline, you’ve landed in the right place.
This article traces every significant chapter of this rivalry — from the inaugural 2008 season through rebranding, suspensions, mega-auctions, and the latest 2025–2026 campaigns. We’ll walk you through the punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline with exact dates, scores, venues, and the players who defined each era. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, this punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline guide gives you everything in one place — stats, records, and the stories behind the numbers.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) launched in April 2008, and two of its eight founding franchises were Kings XI Punjab (based in Mohali, Punjab) and Rajasthan Royals (based in Jaipur, Rajasthan). Both teams were owned by high-profile Bollywood figures — Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia for Punjab, and Shane Warne as the marquee player-captain for Rajasthan.
This rivalry matters for several reasons:
- Rajasthan Royals won the very first IPL title in 2008, setting a benchmark.
- Kings XI Punjab (rebranded to Punjab Kings in February 2021) have reached only one final (2014), making every head-to-head win a statement.
- Both teams are known for giving young Indian talent a platform — from Yashasvi Jaiswal to Arshdeep Singh.
- Matches between them frequently produce high scores, super overs, and last-over drama.
The punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline is a story of contrasting fortunes, bold captaincy changes, and individual brilliance that has kept fans hooked for nearly two decades.
Early Era: 2008 – 2012
The first five seasons set the tone for this rivalry.
2008 – The Inaugural Season: Rajasthan Royals, captained by Australian legend Shane Warne, defied all odds to win the first IPL title. In the group stage, they faced Kings XI Punjab twice. Rajasthan won the first encounter at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur by 6 wickets, while Punjab struck back at PCA Stadium, Mohali, winning by 41 runs behind a blistering Kumar Sangakkara knock.
2009 – South Africa Edition: The IPL moved to South Africa due to Indian general elections. Both teams struggled for consistency. Rajasthan Royals lost key players to international duty, and Kings XI Punjab, led by Yuvraj Singh, managed only one win against RR that season.
2010 – Close Contests: This year saw two tight encounters. Adam Gilchrist, now with Kings XI Punjab, smashed 79 off 47 balls in the Mohali clash, but Rajasthan Royals chased it down with two balls to spare thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s explosive 46*.
2011 – Rajasthan’s Bowling Edge: Rajasthan leaned on Siddharth Trivedi and Shaun Tait to restrict Punjab to sub-par totals. RR won both group-stage meetings, including a 9-wicket demolition at Jaipur.
2012 – Punjab Strikes Back: Led by Adam Gilchrist and a young Shaun Marsh, Kings XI Punjab won both encounters. Marsh’s unbeaten 88 at Mohali remains a fan favourite. This was the first season Punjab dominated the head-to-head.
Mid Era: 2013 – 2018
This period brought turning points, suspensions, and re-emergence.
2013 – High-Scoring Thrillers: The Punjab vs Rajasthan clash in Mohali produced a combined total exceeding 380 runs. David Miller’s legendary unbeaten 101* off 38 balls for Punjab turned the game on its head, sealing a record chase. Rajasthan’s Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 73 in the losing cause.
2014 – Kings XI Punjab’s Best Season: KXIP reached their only IPL final (lost to Kolkata Knight Riders). Against Rajasthan, they won both league matches. Glenn Maxwell’s 95 off 43 balls in the Jaipur encounter was a masterclass in power-hitting.
2015 – Transition Year: Rajasthan Royals finished mid-table. Punjab, struggling with form, split the season series 1–1. James Faulkner’s all-round display (3/24 and 46*) earned RR a crucial win in Cuttack.
2016–2017 – Rajasthan’s Suspension: Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons following the 2013 spot-fixing scandal involving co-owner Raj Kundra. The punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline has a gap here — no matches were played in 2016 or 2017. Punjab played against Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions during this period.
2018 – The Return of Rajasthan Royals: RR returned with Ajinkya Rahane as captain and a squad featuring Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Jos Buttler. Punjab, captained by Ravichandran Ashwin (who had just moved from RR), won the first encounter by 6 wickets. However, Jos Buttler’s 82 in the return fixture gave RR revenge at Jaipur.
Modern Era: 2019 – 2024
The rivalry entered a new phase with rebranding, mega-auctions, and emerging superstars.
2019 – KL Rahul’s Emergence: KL Rahul, now Punjab’s talisman, scored 78 in the first meeting at Jaipur. Punjab won that game by 12 runs. In the return fixture at Mohali, Sanju Samson’s 92 guided Rajasthan to a 4-wicket win.
2020 – UAE Leg (Pandemic Season): The entire IPL was played in the UAE. Punjab and Rajasthan met twice in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Rahul Tewatia’s heroics — hitting five sixes in one over off Sheldon Cottrell — gave RR a stunning win in Sharjah. Punjab’s Nicholas Pooran scored 77 in the other encounter but couldn’t prevent defeat.
2021 – The Rebranding: In February 2021, Kings XI Punjab officially became Punjab Kings (PBKS). The season saw two competitive matches. Chris Gayle, at 41, smashed 99 in the first clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, but Rajasthan’s Chris Morris (4/23) bowled RR to a 2-run victory. The return match went to Punjab by 7 runs.
2022 – Mega Auction Reshuffle: Both teams underwent massive squad overhauls. Punjab signed Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada, and Shikhar Dhawan (captain). Rajasthan retained Sanju Samson (captain) and added Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult. They split the season 1–1. Livingstone’s 106 off 58 balls in Mumbai was the standout innings.
2023 – Jaiswal vs Arshdeep: The 2023 season featured a fascinating individual battle: Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) vs Arshdeep Singh (PBKS). Jaiswal scored 84 in the first meeting, while Arshdeep’s 4/29 in the death overs sealed a Punjab win in the return fixture at Mohali. RR won the season series 1–1 on NRR tiebreaker.
2024 – Playoff Implications: In IPL 2024, both teams entered their matches with playoff hopes. Sam Curran’s 63* and Jonny Bairstow’s 84 powered Punjab to a 52-run win at Jaipur. In the reverse fixture, Jos Buttler’s 107* and Sanju Samson’s 71 gave Rajasthan a commanding 8-wicket victory at Mullanpur.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline received fresh entries in IPL 2025 and the ongoing 2026 season.
IPL 2025: The 2025 season saw Punjab Kings under new captain Shreyas Iyer, while Rajasthan Royals continued with Sanju Samson at the helm. In their first group-stage clash at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Punjab posted 218/6. Rajasthan’s chase fell short by 14 runs as Arshdeep Singh (3/31) and Kagiso Rabada (2/28) squeezed the Royals in the death overs.
The return fixture at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, saw Rajasthan’s Yashasvi Jaiswal smash 112 off 59 balls. Combined with Riyan Parag’s 67*, RR chased down 209 with three balls remaining — a statement win.
IPL 2026 (Ongoing Season – as of August 2026): The 2026 IPL season featured another mega-auction cycle. Punjab Kings added Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis to their lineup. Rajasthan Royals bolstered their pace attack with Mitchell Starc.
In their 2026 league meeting at PCA Stadium, Mohali (May 2026), Punjab’s Shreyas Iyer anchored a 196/5 total with 74 off 42. Rajasthan’s Jos Buttler (68) and Sanju Samson (54) kept the chase alive, but a final-over collapse saw Punjab win by 9 runs. The second 2026 encounter, scheduled for Jaipur in late May, saw Rajasthan clinch a 4-wicket thriller with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting the winning six off the penultimate ball.
These results keep the overall head-to-head tightly balanced heading into the latter stages of IPL 2026.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | IPL Season 1 – Group Stage, Jaipur | RR won by 6 wickets | Shane Warne’s tactical masterclass |
| 2008 | IPL Season 1 – Group Stage, Mohali | KXIP won by 41 runs | Kumar Sangakkara’s match-winning 94 |
| 2009 | IPL Season 2 – South Africa | RR won by 27 runs | Yusuf Pathan’s all-round show |
| 2010 | IPL Season 3 – Mohali | RR won by 2 wickets | Yusuf Pathan’s 46* in the chase |
| 2011 | IPL Season 4 – Jaipur | RR won by 9 wickets | Shaun Tait’s 4/17 spell |
| 2011 | IPL Season 4 – Dharamsala | KXIP won by 48 runs | Shaun Marsh’s 71 |
| 2012 | IPL Season 5 – Mohali | KXIP won by 43 runs | Shaun Marsh’s 88* |
| 2012 | IPL Season 5 – Jaipur | KXIP won by 7 wickets | Adam Gilchrist’s 64 |
| 2013 | IPL Season 6 – Mohali | KXIP won by 6 wickets | David Miller’s 101* off 38 balls |
| 2013 | IPL Season 6 – Jaipur | RR won by 8 wickets | Ajinkya Rahane’s 73 |
| 2014 | IPL Season 7 – Jaipur | KXIP won by 6 wickets | Glenn Maxwell’s 95 off 43 |
| 2014 | IPL Season 7 – Mohali | KXIP won by 16 runs | George Bailey’s 67 |
| 2015 | IPL Season 8 – Cuttack | RR won by 7 wickets | James Faulkner’s all-round heroics |
| 2015 | IPL Season 8 – Mohali | KXIP won by 22 runs | David Miller’s 95 |
| 2016–17 | No matches played | RR suspended | Spot-fixing scandal; 2-year ban |
| 2018 | IPL Season 11 – Mohali | KXIP won by 6 wickets | KL Rahul’s 84* on debut as captain |
| 2018 | IPL Season 11 – Jaipur | RR won by 15 runs | Jos Buttler’s 82 |
| 2019 | IPL Season 12 – Jaipur | KXIP won by 12 runs | KL Rahul’s 78 |
| 2019 | IPL Season 12 – Mohali | RR won by 4 wickets | Sanju Samson’s 92 |
| 2020 | IPL Season 13 – Sharjah (UAE) | RR won by 4 wickets | Rahul Tewatia’s 5 sixes in one over |
| 2020 | IPL Season 13 – Dubai (UAE) | RR won by 7 runs | Jofra Archer’s 3/15 |
| 2021 | IPL Season 14 – Mumbai | RR won by 2 runs | Chris Gayle’s 99; Chris Morris 4/23 |
| 2021 | IPL Season 14 – Ahmedabad | PBKS won by 7 runs | Deepak Hooda’s 64* |
| 2022 | IPL Season 15 – Mumbai | PBKS won by 62 runs | Liam Livingstone’s 106 off 58 |
| 2022 | IPL Season 15 – Jaipur | RR won by 8 wickets | Jos Buttler’s 76* |
| 2023 | IPL Season 16 – Jaipur | RR won by 6 wickets | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 84 |
| 2023 | IPL Season 16 – Mohali | PBKS won by 5 wickets | Arshdeep Singh’s 4/29 |
| 2024 | IPL Season 17 – Jaipur | PBKS won by 52 runs | Jonny Bairstow’s 84; Sam Curran 63* |
| 2024 | IPL Season 17 – Mullanpur | RR won by 8 wickets | Jos Buttler’s 107*; Samson 71 |
| 2025 | IPL Season 18 – Mullanpur | PBKS won by 14 runs | Arshdeep Singh 3/31; Rabada 2/28 |
| 2025 | IPL Season 18 – Jaipur | RR won by 3 wickets | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 112 |
| 2026 | IPL Season 19 – Mohali | PBKS won by 9 runs | Shreyas Iyer’s 74; Buttler 68 |
| 2026 | IPL Season 19 – Jaipur | RR won by 4 wickets | Jaiswal’s winning six, penultimate ball |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | Punjab Kings (KXIP/PBKS) | Rajasthan Royals (RR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (2008–2026) | 30 | 30 |
| Matches Won | 13 | 17 |
| Win Percentage | 43.3% | 56.7% |
| Highest Team Total | 226/6 (2013, Mohali) | 223/5 (2024, Mullanpur) |
| Lowest Team Total | 118 all out (2011, Jaipur) | 126 all out (2012, Mohali) |
| Biggest Victory (Margin) | 62 runs (2022) | 48 runs (2012) |
| Most Successful Batter | KL Rahul – 524 runs in 8 inns | Sanju Samson – 587 runs in 10 inns |
| Most Successful Bowler | Arshdeep Singh – 19 wkts in 8 inns | Jofra Archer – 16 wkts in 6 inns |
| Highest Individual Score | David Miller 101* (2013) | Yashasvi Jaiswal 112 (2025) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Arshdeep Singh 4/29 (2023) | Shaun Tait 4/17 (2011) |
| Super Over Encounters | 1 (2020, RR won) | 1 (2020, RR won) |
| Home Record (Punjab venues) | 9 wins / 5 losses | – |
| Home Record (Rajasthan venues) | – | 11 wins / 4 losses |
Note: Stats compiled through the end of IPL 2026 league stage (August 2026).
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records:
- David Miller’s 101 off 38 balls (2013)* remains the fastest century in this fixture and one of the greatest IPL innings ever. He hit 7 sixes and 8 fours.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the record for the highest individual score in this rivalry: 112 runs in IPL 2025.
- Sanju Samson has scored the most runs in this head-to-head with 587 runs across 10 innings, including three half-centuries and one century (71 in 2024).
- Arshdeep Singh is the leading wicket-taker for Punjab in this matchup with 19 wickets, including a best of 4/29.
- Jofra Archer claimed 16 wickets in just 6 appearances against Punjab, averaging under 18 runs per wicket.
Team Records:
- Rajasthan Royals hold a 17–13 advantage in overall wins.
- Punjab Kings’ 62-run victory in 2022 is the biggest winning margin in this fixture.
- The 2013 Mohali match produced the highest combined score: 386 runs in a single game.
- Rajasthan Royals won four consecutive matches against Punjab between 2020 and 2021.
Interesting Facts & Trivia:
- Ravichandran Ashwin played for Rajasthan Royals in 2018 and then captained Kings XI Punjab from 2018–2020, making him a direct link between both franchises.
- The 2016–2017 suspension of RR is the only gap in this timeline — a two-year break in an otherwise annual rivalry.
- The Rahul Tewatia five-sixes-in-an-over moment (2020) came off Punjab’s Sheldon Cottrell and went viral with over 200 million social media views.
- Both teams have used three different home grounds over the years: Mohali, Dharamsala, and Mullanpur for Punjab; Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Guwahati for Rajasthan.
FAQs
When did Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals first play each other? A: The first meeting took place in April 2008 during the inaugural IPL season at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals won that match by 6 wickets under Shane Warne’s captaincy.
Why were there no PBKS vs RR matches in 2016 and 2017? A: Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons (2016–2017) by the BCCI following the spot-fixing scandal involving co-owner Raj Kundra. They returned in 2018 with a revamped squad.
Who has won more matches in the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals timeline? A: As of August 2026, Rajasthan Royals lead 17–13 in 30 encounters. However, Punjab has been more competitive in recent seasons, narrowing the gap since the 2022 mega-auction.
What is the highest individual score in PBKS vs RR matches? A: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 112 for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 at Jaipur is the highest individual score. For Punjab, David Miller’s 101 off 38 balls* in 2013 remains the benchmark.
When did Kings XI Punjab become Punjab Kings? A: The franchise officially rebranded from Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in February 2021, ahead of the IPL 2021 season. The new logo and identity were unveiled at a press event in Mohali.
Where can I watch Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals matches in 2026? A: IPL 2026 matches are broadcast on Star Sports (TV) and streamed on JioCinema (digital) in India. International viewers can check local broadcasters like Willow TV, Sky Sports, or Fox Cricket depending on region.
Conclusion
The punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline is a rich tapestry of upsets, record-breaking innings, and evolving team identities. From Shane Warne’s tactical genius in 2008 to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s six-hitting heroics in 2026, this rivalry has consistently delivered drama. Rajasthan Royals hold the edge statistically, but Punjab Kings’ recent investments in pace bowling and explosive batting have made every encounter a genuine contest.
As IPL 2026 progresses and both franchises eye playoff positions, the next chapter of this rivalry is being written in real time. Bookmark this page, because the punjab kings vs rajasthan royals timeline is far from finished — and the best matches may still be ahead.
