Introduction
Punjab Kings (PBKS), earlier known as Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are two founding teams of the Indian Premier League, known for their contrasting styles and frequent clashes. The Royals won the first IPL in 2008 under Shane Warne, with spin bowling and backing young talent. Punjab Kings have often been strong, with explosive batsmen and match-winners, but have not yet claimed the IPL trophy.
Fans search for “Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals timeline” to trace how this rivalry has evolved: who won when, which players shone, the biggest wins and losses, and how recent seasons have tipped the balance. This article presents a full timeline (2008-2025), fresh stats, memorable matches, head-to-head records, and analysis to show the rivalry’s arc — especially factoring in the latest season.
Table of Contents
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline
Here’s a table summarizing key PBKS vs RR matches from 2008 through 2025. Where full data isn’t available, the most important highlights are included, especially for recent seasons.
| Year | Match Date | Venue | Winner | Top Scorer / Key Batting Performance | Best Bowler / Key Bowling Performance | Result / Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 21 Apr 2008 | Jaipur | RR | Shane Watson unbeaten 76 | Shane Warne 3 wickets for 19 runs | RR won by 6 wickets in the first ever clash between the two franchises; set tone of rivalry. |
| 2008 | Late May 2008 | Mohali | PBKS | Shaun Marsh made a century (≈ 115) | — | PBKS won by ~ 40-45 runs; early revenge for PBKS in season. |
| 2009 | During IPL 2009 season | South Africa (venues like Durban etc.) | RR | Graeme Smith scored ~ 77 in Durban match | Amit Singh or similar took key wickets cheaply | RR won by large margin in one match (~ 78 runs); split series. |
| 2010 | Jaipur / Mohali | Royale home and away | RR | Michael Lumb scored high (~ 83 in one) | Siddharth Trivedi or other RR bowlers took important wickets | RR had dominant wins including a 9-wicket win in Jaipur. |
| 2011-2013 | Various dates each season, home and away | Mixed venues (Jaipur, Mohali etc.) | Mostly RR | Ajinkya Rahane, others for RR; PBKS had some half-centuries | RR bowlers often controlled middle overs; PBKS bowlers had some spells | RR generally had upper hand in these years; PBKS wins few and scattered. |
| 2014 | IPL 2014 | Neutral/away venues | PBKS | Glenn Maxwell’s attacking innings played a big role | PBKS bowlers held under pressure | PBKS won both fixtures in 2014, marking a shift of momentum. |
| 2015 | IPL 2015 | Mixed venues | RR & PBKS (split or narrow wins) | Some big knocks by Watson (RR) and PBKS middle order | Close bowling, some tight death overs | Matches tight; one match went to a super over or very narrow margin. |
| 2018-2019 | IPL 2018 & 2019 | Home and away (Jaipur, Indore, Mohali etc.) | PBKS & RR both had wins | KL Rahul, others scored for PBKS; RR top order had good starts in their wins | Death overs and spinners played roles | In 2019, PBKS won both matches vs RR; strong batting and disciplined bowling. |
| 2020 | UAE venues (Sharjah etc.) | RR | RR | Sanju Samson’s 85 off ~ 42 balls; other batters supporting well | RR bowlers took key wickets under pressure | RR posted ~ 226/6 in one match; RR won both their meetings. |
| 2021 | Neutral venues (Dubai etc.) | Mixed | Sanju Samson (119 off 63) outstanding for RR in one; PBKS won one match narrowly | Arshdeep Singh had notable bowling spells; others too | Very tight matches, especially one decided by few runs. | |
| 2022-2023 | Various venues | Split | Both sides won one match each per season in many cases | Batters like Jaiswal or PBKS batsmen putting together crucial innings | Bowlers in powerplay and death overs often changing game momentum | By 2023, matches often coming down to final overs; home advantage mattered. |
| 2024 | Season matches | Jaipur & another venue | Split | RR won one by chasing/defending well; PBKS won one | Bowlers under pressure but some standout spells | The 2024 season saw balanced outcomes; PBKS took one, RR took one; rivalry very even. |
| 2025 | 5 April 2025, Mullanpur | RR | RR | Yashasvi Jaiswal anchored innings; opener & followed up by Parag / Hetmyer in final overs | RR bowlers made early inroads; impact in powerplay and middle overs | RR won by 50 runs; solid victory margin. |
| 2025 | 18 May 2025, Jaipur | PBKS | PBKS | Nehal Wadhera 70 off 37; Shashank Singh & Azmatullah Omarzai contributed heavily; Iyer set platform | Riyan Parag, Tushar Deshpande etc bowled well for RR; PBKS defended in death overs | PBKS won by 10 runs in a thriller; strong finish under pressure. |
Explanation of Key 2025 Matches
- Match on 5 April 2025 at Mullanpur: Rajasthan Royals set a strong total of 205/4, with solid batting from their top order. PBKS’ chase collapsed early — they lost quick wickets in the powerplay, including captain Shreyas Iyer, and despite some resistance, could not build partnerships. RR bowlers were disciplined, especially in key early overs. RR won by about 50 runs.
- Match on 18 May 2025 at Jaipur (Sawai Mansingh Stadium): In a reverse fixture, PBKS put up a robust total with crucial knocks: Nehal Wadhera played a fast-paced 70, Shashank Singh scored a half-century, and Azmatullah Omarzai provided late-overs hitting. RR’s bowlers had some success, with Riyan Parag and others picking wickets, but PBKS held their nerve in the death overs. PBKS won by 10 runs.
Head-to-Head Records
Overall Head-to-Head
- Total matches between PBKS and RR up to IPL 2025: 30.
- Rajasthan Royals have won 17 of those fixtures.
- Punjab Kings have won 13.
- No recorded ties or no-result matches in that head-to-head set.
This shows a close rivalry, with RR slightly ahead over the years.
Most Runs in PBKS vs RR Matches
- Sanju Samson (RR) leads the run charts in PBKS vs RR clashes, with 632 runs. He has played many big innings vs PBKS.
- Among PBKS batters, KL Rahul is one of the top scorers vs RR. He has provided solid starts and sometimes match-turning knocks.
Most Wickets in PBKS vs RR Matches
- Arshdeep Singh of PBKS has been the leading wicket-taker in encounters vs RR, especially with good bowling in powerplays and death overs.
- Other frequent wicket-takers include RR bowlers who’ve had standout spells, e.g. during matches where RR won convincingly.
Key Players in the Timeline (H2)
Here are some of the players who have defined the PBKS vs RR rivalry, with their major contributions.
- Sanju Samson (RR)
Sanju Samson is perhaps the most consistent bat for RR against PBKS. In 2020, he played a blazing innings of 85 off 42 while RR posted a huge total, and in 2021 he smashed 119 off 63 in one of the fixture matches. His ability to accelerate when needed and anchor when required has often given RR momentum. Over the 30 matches, his aggregate runs in PBKS vs RR are the highest among all players in that rivalry.
- KL Rahul (PBKS)
KL Rahul has often been PBKS’s reliable top order bat in these match-ups. He has given strong starts, built partnerships, and sometimes held up innings when wickets fell. In seasons like 2019, his consistency with the bat helped PBKS secure their wins. While he has not always converted to massive hundreds vs RR, his half-centuries and tame bowling conditions have made him a pain for RR.
- Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
As a fast bowler, Arshdeep Singh has been crucial for PBKS especially in powerplays and at the death. He has taken some of the best bowling figures PBKS have gotten vs RR, making important breakthroughs early and often containing runs late. In the 2025 matches, though newer names also had moments, Arshdeep remained one to watch.
- Young Guns & Other Notables
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): led RR’s 2025 batting, scored heavily through several innings, including vs PBKS in the early season match.
- Nehal Wadhera (PBKS): emerged in 2025 as a young player who played a big cameo (70 off 37) vs RR; showed PBKS has depth.
- Riyan Parag (RR): has contributed both with bat and economy, especially in close matches.
- Bowling names: Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tushar Deshpande—especially for RR in 2025; and for PBKS, bowlers who held composure in final overs.
Memorable Matches
Here are at least five iconic PBKS vs RR matches, chosen for big moments, individual brilliance, or turning points in the rivalry.
- 2008 – Shane Watson & Warne set the first tone: In the inaugural IPL match between RR and PBKS at Jaipur, Watson hit an unbeaten 76, and Warne took 3-19. RR won by 6 wickets. That match marked the start of this longstanding rivalry.
- 2009 – Huge win by runs: RR defeated PBKS by 78 runs in Durban. Graeme Smith top-scored, and the bowlers like Amit Singh bowled superbly. The margin remains one of the biggest in PBKS vs RR history.
- 2020 – RR’s massive total of 226/6: At Sharjah, RR posted 226/6 and then chased well in the first meeting vs PBKS. Sanju Samson starred. That match was one of the highest scoring and showcased how high-powered batting and aggressive cricket were becoming in this rivalry.
- 2021 – Sanju Samson’s 119 off 63: An outstanding individual batting performance, putting pressure on PBKS with strike rate and shot-making. Though PBKS fought back in games, this innings stood out.
- 2025 – The two latest thrilling matches:
- On 5 April 2025, RR won by 50 runs at Mullanpur, showing dominance with both bat and ball.
- On 18 May 2025, PBKS responded with a close 10-run win at Jaipur, anchored by young Nehal Wadhera and tight bowling in pressure overs. These two matches reflect how evenly matched the teams are now, and how the timeline continues to evolve.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2025 Update
Here’s detailed look at 2025 in this rivalry.
- Match 1 (5 April 2025, Mullanpur): Rajasthan Royals batted first and piled up a large total of 205/4, with strong top-order batting, including a timely anchor by Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by finishing touches from middle and lower order (Parag, Hetmyer etc.). PBKS’ chase was derailed early: they lost three wickets inside the powerplay including skipper Shreyas Iyer. RR bowlers maintained pressure through middle overs and death overs to restrict PBKS. Result: RR won by 50 runs.
- Match 2 (18 May 2025, Jaipur): PBKS batted first; Nehal Wadhera played a blistering 70 off 37 and provided momentum. Shashank Singh also got a half-century, Azmatullah Omarzai gave a quick late-overs cameo. Total was competitive. RR’s reply saw some initial wickets by PBKS bowlers but RR kept hope in middle overs. However, PBKS held nerve in the death overs, defending well to win by 10 runs. It was a thrilling finish in front of the home crowd.
These two matches raise the 2025 record between the teams to RR: 1 win, PBKS: 1 win so far.
Stats & Analysis
Here is a comparison table of PBKS vs RR metrics up to IPL 2025, plus analysis.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (PBKS vs RR) | 30 |
| Wins by PBKS | 13 |
| Wins by RR | 17 |
| Highest Team Total (by RR vs PBKS) | 226/6 (2020, Sharjah) |
| Highest Team Total (by PBKS vs RR) | ~ 205/4 (2025, Mullanpur) |
| Lowest Team Total (by RR vs PBKS) | ~ 112 (one of RR’s low scores vs PBKS) |
| Lowest Team Total (by PBKS vs RR) | ~ 124 (PBKS low vs RR) |
| Biggest Winning Margin (by runs) | RR by ~ 78 runs (2009) |
| Biggest Winning Margin (by wickets) | RR by 9 wickets (2010) |
Analysis:
Over the years, Rajasthan Royals have held a slight edge in the PBKS vs RR head-to-head, with 17 wins to Punjab Kings’ 13 in 30 matches. The highest scoring games, especially around 2020, highlight how batting deep and finishing well matter. PBKS’s biggest totals have come when their younger batters or mid-order fire, while RR’s biggest margins often stem from early breakthroughs with the ball and aggressive batting at top order. The 2025 season reflects this balance: one match where RR dominated, another where PBKS held composure under pressure. Venue and conditions (especially home vs away) continue to make a difference. Therefore, while RR still lead, PBKS are more consistent now in keeping matches close or edging them.
Conclusion
The Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals timeline is a rich tapestry of fiercely contested matches, individual brilliance, dramatic finishes, and shifting momentum. Rajasthan Royals have a modest lead in the head-to-head records, but Punjab Kings have had their moments — especially recently. Players like Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, and the rising stars in 2025 have added new chapters to that timeline.
With IPL 2025 already delivering two contrasting matches between these sides, the PBKS vs RR rivalry remains alive, competitive, and full of surprises. Each season adds fresh moments to the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals records, and fans can expect more thrilling contests ahead. Keep watching, because this timeline is far from done.
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