Shreyas Iyer To Drop Yuzvendra Chahal? Punjab Kings Strongest XI For IPL Match Vs RR

Iyer could drop Chahal from PBKS playing XI Vs RR [Source: AP]

Can Punjab Kings be stopped? That has been the question of the IPL 2026 as several teams have tried, and they have all failed to deliver the goods against them. The team remains the only undefeated side in the tournament, having won 6 out of 7 games played (with one ending in a washout).

Shreyas Iyer has done a great job leading the IPL 2025 finalists, and their strong batting lineup has played a big part in their success. With Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, and Shreyas Iyer, Punjab has the best top four in the league. This was clear when they chased down the highest successful IPL score against DC.

However, despite winning all games, their bowling remains a big issue. While the batters have done their part to perfection, the same cannot be said about their bowling lineup. PBKS will next take on the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, and here is how they can lineup for the marquee clash, with a key change expected.

PBKS Playing XI vs RR- Match 40, IPL 2026

Openers and top order: Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly

While the world often talks about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi-Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma-Travis Head, the pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have quietly built a reputation as the most fearsome openers in the IPL.

PBKS needed 265 to win vs DC, and the duo made a mockery of the target as they dismantled the Delhi Capitals bowlers inside the powerplay to seal the win. The duo will once again be key against a formidable RR attack, comprising Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger.

In Cooper Connolly, PBKS have a reliable number 3 batter. Shreyas Iyer left his position to accommodate Connolly, and the move paid off as the Australian has become their most consistent performer.

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Middle order and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen

Iyer, the captain of the side, has led from the front. He has scored truckloads of runs in the IPL 2026, and once again, the RR bowlers need to be wary of him on Tuesday, as Iyer can take the game away in the blink of an eye.

In Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen, PBKS have three solid and aggressive finishers, and the scary part is that Stoinis, and Jansen have hardly got an opportunity to bat as the top four have done most of the damage.

The trio has great numbers in death overs, and Punjab Kings would hope that if an opportunity arises, they can do the finishing job.

Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar

Xavier Bartlett was expensive in the PBKS Vs DC IPL match on Saturday, but the Kings rate the Australian highly, and they would ideally give him one more chance to showcase his skills against the Rajasthan Royals.

Vyshak Vijaykumar and Arshdeep Singh will be the two lead Indian pacers. Both bowlers have blown hot and cold in the tournament, and they’ll be eager to get some form back for the match against the Royals.

The only change PBKS could make for the IPL 2026 match vs RR is the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal. The wily leg-spin bowler has struggled for wickets this season and has only scalped 4 wickets in seven matches, with an economy of 9.76.

He has looked a pale shadow of his former self, and perhaps time has come to replace him with fellow spinner, Harpreet Brar. The left-arm orthodox spinner has been in and out of the team for quite some time now, but he could be a handy customer against the Royals in the middle overs.

PBKS playing XI Vs RR- Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar

Impact player options: Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Yash Thakur, Nehal Wadhera

Also Read: Pakistan Cricket Board Takes New Route, Adopts New Tournament Before 2027 World Cup