Rajasthan Royals Opt to Bowl First Against Punjab Kings in IPL Clash

In an exciting IPL match, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bowl first against Punjab Kings. As PBKS seeks to extend their unbeaten run, RR aims to bounce back from recent losses. Both teams have made strategic changes to their lineups. Read on for detailed insights into the match and player performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 20:07 IST

Match Overview

In a thrilling IPL encounter on Tuesday at Mullanpur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag won the toss and chose to field first against Punjab Kings (PBKS). PBKS is looking to maintain their unbeaten streak, while RR aims to recover from a slump, having lost three out of their last four matches. Currently, RR sits fourth in the points table with five victories and three defeats, totaling 10 points.

Captain's Remarks

During the toss, Riyan Parag stated, "We will bowl first. The pitch looks good, but with some cloud cover and a brief shower, there's a bit of moisture early on. We hope to capitalize on that and secure some early wickets before chasing down the target." He also announced two changes to the lineup: Shimron Hetmyer is out, making way for Dasun Shanaka, while Yash Raj Punia replaces Ravi Bishnoi.

PBKS Captain's Statement

On the other side, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer extended his condolences to all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who recently lost his mother. He mentioned, "We would have preferred to bowl first as well, given that the wicket was covered for a few days due to inclement weather. Regardless of the toss outcome, every match presents its challenges, and our team is prepared. Suryansh Shedge and Lockie Ferguson are included in our squad. Everyone has specific goals, and so far, things are progressing well. My heartfelt condolences go out to Azmat and his family during this difficult time."

Playing XI