Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline: Head-to-Head Records, Match History & Key Highlights

Introduction

The rivalry between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS, formerly Kings XI Punjab) is among the most thrilling contests in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since the inaugural season in 2008, these two franchises have produced electrifying battles, ranging from nail-biting last-ball thrillers to record-breaking batting showcases. Over the years, the Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings timeline has reflected the unpredictability of IPL, showcasing moments of brilliance from established stars and rising talents alike. Fans of both franchises look forward to this clash because it rarely fails to deliver excitement. With close finishes, super overs, and high scores, this rivalry is one of the true entertainers of the league.

Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline

Here is a single timeline table covering all RR vs PBKS matches in IPL history from 2008 till 2025, with venue, scores, winner, margin, and key performer.

Year	Venue	RR Score	PBKS Score	Winner	Margin	Key Performer
2008	Jaipur	168/4	166/8	RR	Won by 6 wickets	Shane Watson 76
2008	Mohali	124/9	165/8	PBKS	Won by 41 runs	Shaun Marsh 58
2009	Cape Town	112/7	166/9	PBKS	Won by 27 runs	Yusuf Abdulla 3/20
2009	Durban	211/4	133/8	RR	Won by 78 runs	Graeme Smith 77
2010	Jaipur	183/5	152/10	RR	Won by 31 runs	Shane Watson 3/10
2010	Mohali	153/1	152/10	RR	Won by 9 wickets	Naman Ojha 68*
2011	Mohali	195/7	147/7	PBKS	Won by 48 runs	Paul Valthaty 75
2012	Jaipur	177/6	145/8	RR	Won by 31 runs	Ajinkya Rahane 61
2012	Mohali	191/6	148/8	RR	Won by 43 runs	Rahul Dravid 77
2013	Jaipur	147/3	145/6	RR	Won by 6 wickets	James Faulkner 3/16
2013	Mohali	145/2	124/9	RR	Won by 8 wickets	Ajinkya Rahane 59*
2014	Sharjah	191/5	193/3	PBKS	Won by 7 wickets	Glenn Maxwell 89
2014	Mohali	191/5	207/4	PBKS	Won by 16 runs	David Miller 51*
2015	Pune	162/7	136/8	RR	Won by 26 runs	Rahane 74
2015	Ahmedabad	191/6	191/6	PBKS	Won Super Over	Miller & Marsh
2018	Indore	152/9	155/4	PBKS	Won by 6 wickets	Lokesh Rahul 84*
2018	Jaipur	158/8	143/7	RR	Won by 15 runs	Jos Buttler 82
2019	Jaipur	170/9	184/4	PBKS	Won by 14 runs	Chris Gayle 79
2019	Mohali	170/7	182/6	PBKS	Won by 12 runs	Lokesh Rahul 52
2020	Sharjah	226/6	223/2	RR	Won by 4 wickets	Rahul Tewatia 53 (31)
2020	Abu Dhabi	186/3	185/4	RR	Won by 7 wickets	Ben Stokes 50 (26)
2021	Mumbai	217/7	221/6	PBKS	Won by 4 runs	KL Rahul 91
2021	Dubai	185/10	183/4	RR	Won by 2 runs	Kartik Tyagi 2/29
2022	Mumbai	190/4	189/5	RR	Won by 6 wickets	Jos Buttler 54
2023	Guwahati	192/7	197/4	PBKS	Won by 5 runs	Shikhar Dhawan 86*
2023	Dharamsala	187/6	189/6	RR	Won by 4 wickets	Yashasvi Jaiswal 50
2024	Mullanpur	152/7	147/8	RR	Won by 3 wickets	Trent Boult 3/28
2024	Guwahati	146/10	151/5	PBKS	Won by 5 wickets	Kagiso Rabada 3/19
2025	Mullanpur	210/6	160/9	RR	Won by 50 runs	Yashasvi Jaiswal 92

Head-to-Head Records

Total Matches Played: 29
Rajasthan Royals Wins: 17
Punjab Kings Wins: 12
Tied Matches: 1 (2015, PBKS won Super Over)
No Results: 0

Win Percentages:

Rajasthan Royals – about 58%
Punjab Kings – about 42%

This shows RR’s dominance overall, but PBKS has often been competitive, especially with big batting performances.

Highest Scores in RR vs PBKS Matches

RR Highest Team Total: 226/6 (Sharjah, 2020)
PBKS Highest Team Total: 223/2 (Sharjah, 2020)
Highest Individual Score for RR: Sanju Samson – 119 (2021, Mumbai)
Highest Individual Score for PBKS: Shaun Marsh – 115 (2008, Mohali)

These high scores underline why this rivalry is considered one of the most entertaining in the IPL.

Lowest Scores in RR vs PBKS Matches

RR Lowest Score: 112/7 (2009, Cape Town)
PBKS Lowest Score: 124/9 (2013, Mohali)

The rivalry has seen both explosive batting and collapses under pressure.

Top Run Scorers in RR vs PBKS Rivalry

Player	Team	Runs Scored
Sanju Samson	RR	632
KL Rahul	PBKS	490
Shaun Marsh	PBKS	409
Ajinkya Rahane	RR	373
Jos Buttler	RR	350+

Sanju Samson leads this list, showing his consistency and dominance against Punjab Kings.

Top Wicket-Takers

Bowler	Team	Wickets Taken
Arshdeep Singh	PBKS	17
Siddharth Trivedi	RR	11
Kevon Cooper	RR	9
Piyush Chawla	PBKS	8
Trent Boult	RR	7

Arshdeep Singh has been exceptional in this rivalry, particularly in death overs.

Memorable Matches

2015 Super Over Thriller

One of the most iconic matches in this rivalry came in 2015 when both teams ended with 191 runs each. The match went into a Super Over, where PBKS held their nerve and secured victory, making it one of the most thrilling games in IPL history.

Rahul Tewatia’s Heroics (2020)

In Sharjah 2020, Punjab set a mammoth target of 224. Rajasthan Royals chased it down with the help of Rahul Tewatia’s unbelievable hitting — smashing five sixes in an over. It remains one of the greatest IPL chases.

Sanju Samson’s 119 (2021)

Sanju Samson’s century against PBKS in 2021 was pure class. Despite his brilliant knock, RR narrowly lost the game by 4 runs. His innings remains one of the standout performances of the rivalry.

Last-Over Drama (2021, Dubai)

In a match where Punjab needed just 4 runs off 6 balls, Kartik Tyagi bowled a magical over, conceding only 1 run and handing RR a dramatic win.

Season-wise Breakdown

2008–2010: RR dominated early with big wins.
2011–2014: PBKS fought back, powered by Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, and David Miller.
2015–2019: Close contests; Super Over drama in 2015; PBKS edged ahead in 2019.
2020–2021: High-scoring thrillers; Tewatia and Samson’s heroics stood out.
2022–2025: Balanced results, but RR have been more consistent, with Jaiswal and Buttler starring.

Future of RR vs PBKS Rivalry

The future of the Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings rivalry looks promising. With young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal for RR and Shubman Gill-style players (PBKS grooming new openers) stepping up, this rivalry is set to continue producing fireworks. The depth of RR’s bowling, combined with PBKS’s explosive batting, ensures every contest remains unpredictable. As both franchises chase IPL glory, their head-to-head clashes will remain crucial for playoff qualifications and fan excitement.

Conclusion

The Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings timeline is full of drama, excitement, and unforgettable cricketing moments. Rajasthan Royals have historically enjoyed an edge, but Punjab Kings have delivered enough stunning performances to keep the rivalry alive and intense. From record chases in Sharjah to last-over thrillers in Dubai, this contest has seen it all. As IPL evolves, the RR vs PBKS rivalry will only grow in stature, ensuring fans continue to witness unforgettable battles between bat and ball.