Punjab Kings continued their aggressive batting type in IPL 2026 as they posted one other huge complete, however Rajasthan Royals teen Yash Raj Punja ensured his aspect stayed within the contest with a superb spell of spin in Match 40 on the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
After profitable the toss, RR captain Riyan Parag selected to bowl first, hoping to limit the in-form Punjab batting lineup. Nonetheless, PBKS as soon as once more confirmed why they continue to be unbeaten this season, piling up a powerful 222/4 in 20 overs. Amid the batting fireworks, younger spinner Yash stood out by dismissing two harmful batters and briefly pulling the momentum again in Rajasthan’s favour.
Yash Raj Punja outfoxes Cooper Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh
Punjab have been cruising comfortably when Punja was launched into the assault, and the spinner responded with maturity past his years.
His first breakthrough got here on the second ball of the ninth over when he deceived Cooper Connolly with a well-disguised googly. Tossed full and out of doors off, the supply tempted the batter into an enormous slog down the bottom. Connolly went for the utmost however solely managed to slice it excessive in direction of long-off.
Donovan Ferreira settled underneath the skier and accomplished a protected catch, giving Rajasthan a much-needed wicket. Punja’s loud celebration mirrored the significance of the breakthrough as PBKS had been dominating till then. Connolly departed after a helpful 30-run contribution that had helped preserve the scoring price.
Punja struck once more on the ultimate ball of the 14th over, this time eradicating the well-set Prabhsimran Singh, who was wanting harmful after crossing his half-century. Sensing the batter’s intention to assault, Punja cleverly slowed the tempo and tossed the leg-break wider outdoors off. Prabhsimran superior down the pitch however did not get underneath the ball correctly, leading to a mistimed lofted shot.
Captain Parag positioned himself completely close to further cowl and accomplished the catch calmly, ending Prabhsimran’s wonderful innings of 59 off 44 balls. The dismissal highlighted Punja’s sport consciousness and tactical bowling, particularly contemplating he was most well-liked within the enjoying XI over the in-form Ravi Bishnoi.
Right here’s the video:
Cooper Connolly ✅
Prabhsimran Singh ✅Teenager Yash Raj Punja stepped as much as the problem at the moment! 👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/fBbdVnF5Fx#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #PBKSvRR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/sQP6n0CokE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 28, 2026
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Marcus Stoinis finishes with a storm
Regardless of Punja’s efforts, Punjab Kings nonetheless managed to put up one other intimidating complete. Opening batter Priyansh Arya added 29, whereas skipper Shreyas Iyer chipped in with 30. The actual ending blow, nonetheless, got here from Marcus Stoinis, who unleashed a brutal late assault. The Australian all-rounder smashed 62 runs off simply 22 balls, hammering 4 boundaries and 6 towering sixes to take PBKS past the 220-run mark. With 222/4 on the board, Punjab as soon as once more underlined their title credentials, however Yash’s spell gave Rajasthan Royals a glimmer of hope in what seemed like a one-sided contest.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: Here’s why Shimron Hetmyer and Ravi Bishnoi are not playing today’s PBKS vs RR match
