Rajasthan Royals pulled off a rare feat in IPL 2026 on Tuesday, becoming the first side to beat Punjab Kings in the league’s current phase. RR chased down the target at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh by six wickets, and the result moved them up one spot to third place. The victory also marked their sixth win of the season.
Quick facts
- Match: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals (IPL 2026)
- Venue: Mullanpur, New Chandigarh
- Result: RR won by 6 wickets
- RR points: 12 from 9 matches (moved to 3rd)
- PBKS points: 13 after 9 matches (first defeat after 8 matches)
- Punjab NRR: +1.043 (still leads the table)
- RR NRR after the win: +0.617
- SRH slipped to 4th: 10 points from 8 matches, NRR +0.815
- RCB remain 2nd: 12 points, NRR +1.919
Punjab Kings, despite losing, still sit comfortably on top of the points table with 13 points. It was their first setback of the campaign, ending a run of eight matches without defeat. Even in a high-scoring game, PBKS kept a strong net run rate of +1.043, helping them retain their edge in the standings.
For Rajasthan, the chase did more than just secure two points. Their climb up the table came alongside an improved NRR of +0.617, pushing them firmly into the top-four conversation. With the change in positions, RR also leapfrogged Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were previously ahead in the pecking order.
Sunrisers Hyderabad slipped to fourth after RR’s leapfrog. SRH finished the night on 10 points from eight matches and continued to hold a healthy net run rate of +0.815. Their NRR keeps them well within striking distance, but the standings now place them behind the Royals.
Top-two and the rest of the table
Royal Challengers Bengaluru stayed planted in second place with 12 points, level with Rajasthan on points. The difference is net run rate, with RCB sitting at +1.919—still the best mark in the competition so far. Their dominant win over Delhi Capitals on Monday was a key reason they maintained their position after Tuesday’s results.
Outside the top four, the remainder of the table did not change following the PBKS vs RR clash. Gujarat Titans remain fifth with eight points, while Chennai Super Kings occupy sixth on six points.
Further down, Delhi Capitals are seventh with six points, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders on five. Mumbai Indians are next on four points, and Lucknow Super Giants also finish the list with four points.
IPL 2026 Points Table (after PBKS vs RR)
- 1) PBKS — MW 8, L 6, NRR 1.043, Points 13
- 2) RCB — MW 8, L 6, NRR 1.919, Points 12
- 3) RR — MW 9, L 6, NRR 0.617, Points 12
- 4) SRH — MW 8, L 5, NRR 0.815, Points 10
- 5) GT — MW 8, L 4, NRR -0.475, Points 8
- 6) CSK — MW 8, L 5, NRR -0.121, Points 6
- 7) DC — MW 8, L 5, NRR -1.060, Points 6
- 8) KKR — MW 8, L 2, NRR -0.751, Points 5
- 9) MI — MW 7, L 2, NRR -0.735, Points 4
- 10) LSG — MW 8, L 2, NRR -1.106, Points 4
