Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline

Introduction: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Timeline

There’s something magical about IPL rivalries, isn’t there? Some are fiery, some are emotional — but then there’s Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, a battle that’s always unpredictable. Every time these two teams face off, you just know something wild is about to happen. One moment it’s a run-fest, the next it’s a last-over heartbreak — classic IPL chaos.

As a fan, I’ve followed this rivalry from day one. And let me tell you, every match feels like flipping a coin — you never really know which way it’s going to land. It’s that very uncertainty that keeps us glued to our screens.

So, let’s rewind and walk through their journey — from the fairy-tale beginnings of 2008 to the rollercoaster rides of recent seasons. Trust me, by the time you finish reading this, you’ll relive every twist, every heartbreak, and every goosebump moment.

Here’s the full timeline table — a neat little summary of when, where, and how these two IPL warriors have clashed over the years.

Year	Venue	Winner	Key Highlights / Moments
2008 (Match 1)	Jaipur	Rajasthan Royals	RR’s dream debut season begins; Shane Warne’s tactics stun PBKS.
2008 (Match 2)	Mohali	Punjab Kings	Shaun Marsh’s heroics help Punjab level the rivalry early on.
2009 (Cape Town)	RR	Rajasthan Royals	Yusuf Pathan’s sixes light up the South African sky.
2010 (Jaipur)	PBKS	Punjab Kings	Irfan Pathan’s all-round brilliance seals the deal.
2011	Jaipur	Rajasthan Royals	Warne and Watson guide RR to a confident win.
2012	Mohali	Rajasthan Royals	Ajinkya Rahane’s class act leads RR’s charge.
2013	Jaipur	Rajasthan Royals	Faulkner’s fiery five-for crushes Punjab’s hopes.
2014	Sharjah	Punjab Kings	Maxwell goes ballistic — pure hitting carnage!
2015	Ahmedabad	PBKS (Super Over)	The thriller that broke RR hearts — tied match decided in Super Over.
2018	Jaipur	Rajasthan Royals	Buttler’s blitz gets RR roaring again.
2019	Mohali	Punjab Kings	KL Rahul’s calm brilliance wins it for PBKS.
2020	Sharjah	Rajasthan Royals	The impossible chase — 223 hunted down in style!
2021	Dubai	Rajasthan Royals	Kartik Tyagi’s last-over miracle — defended 4 runs off 6 balls!
2022	Mumbai	Rajasthan Royals	Chahal’s spin web outsmarts PBKS’ big hitters.
2023	Guwahati	Punjab Kings	Dhawan’s experience and Ellis’s death bowling seal the win.
2024	Mullanpur	Rajasthan Royals	Riyan Parag’s maturity shines; RR back on top.

The Early Days: When Magic Met Madness (2008–2012)

Ah, 2008 — the start of it all. Rajasthan Royals were the underdogs, led by the late, great Shane Warne. No one gave them a chance, yet they turned cricket into an art form that season. I remember that first match vividly — the Jaipur crowd buzzing, Warne waving his arms like a magician, and RR pulling off a win that set the tone for something special.

Then came Punjab’s reply. Yuvraj Singh and Shaun Marsh were in their prime, and when they played at Mohali, it was a different story. Marsh’s clean hitting was poetry in motion. Both teams were young, hungry, and full of fire — and that’s what made their early clashes so gripping.

By 2009, the IPL had moved to South Africa, but the energy didn’t drop a bit. Yusuf Pathan’s bat did most of the talking that season — and oh boy, when he got going, bowlers just disappeared into the stands.

The Middle Years: Unpredictable, Unstoppable, and Unbelievable (2013–2017)

This was the era when both teams started reinventing themselves. The old guards made way for new heroes.

I still remember James Faulkner’s spell in 2013 — pure class. He destroyed Punjab’s batting lineup and gave RR one of their most dominant wins. But in 2014, the tables turned. Punjab, powered by Glenn Maxwell, were like a hurricane that season. Every time Maxwell batted, it felt like the ball had wings. He didn’t just hit sixes — he launched missiles.

Then came the 2015 Super Over match, and honestly, I still get chills thinking about it. RR had it in the bag, but PBKS clawed back. A tie. Then the Super Over. Then heartbreak for RR. That’s IPL for you — it never fails to break and heal your heart in the same breath.

The Modern Phase: When Every Match Feels Personal (2018–2024)

The new generation brought new emotions. With Sanju Samson leading RR and KL Rahul (and later Shikhar Dhawan) guiding PBKS, the rivalry took on a new shape — more intense, more emotional.

The 2020 match in Sharjah? Absolute madness. Rajasthan chased down 223 runs — yes, 223! — with Samson and Rahul Tewatia turning the impossible into reality. I remember watching it live — one minute cursing Tewatia for slow batting, the next minute screaming as he smashed five sixes in one over. That’s the kind of emotional whiplash RR and PBKS matches give you.

And just when we thought nothing could top that, Kartik Tyagi happened in 2021. Defending four runs in the final over? Unreal. Even PBKS fans couldn’t believe what they saw.

Fast forward to 2023, and Shikhar Dhawan showed everyone that calm heads still win chaotic matches. His steady innings and Nathan Ellis’s brilliant bowling handed PBKS a classy victory. But RR struck back in 2024, with Riyan Parag’s maturity proving that the Royals’ next generation is ready for the spotlight.

Head-to-Head Record Snapshot

Teams	Matches Played	Rajasthan Royals Wins	Punjab Kings Wins	Tied/No Result
RR vs PBKS	26	15	11	1

RR currently have the upper hand, but the margin is close enough to keep the rivalry spicy.

Why This Rivalry Hits Different

What makes this rivalry special is that it’s never predictable. You can never tell who’s the favorite, because both teams thrive on chaos. RR play like artists — elegant yet unpredictable — while PBKS play like rockstars — loud, fearless, and explosive.

Both teams have been underdogs at one point or another. They’ve lived in the shadows of MI and CSK, but they’ve built their own loyal fanbases — fans who stick around not just for trophies, but for the thrill of the fight.

Watching RR vs PBKS feels like watching two dreamers trying to out-dream each other.

Iconic Matches That Define the Rivalry

2020 – The 223 Chase (Sharjah)
Probably the most iconic RR vs PBKS match ever. Samson and Tewatia’s heroics turned a lost game into a legendary one.
2021 – Kartik Tyagi’s Miracle (Dubai)
Four runs to win. Six balls left. And Tyagi turns it into a miracle. That’s cricket poetry right there.
2015 – Super Over Drama (Ahmedabad)
A heartbreaker. RR lost in the tiebreaker, but the drama was unforgettable.
2023 – Dhawan’s Calm & Class (Guwahati)
Shikhar Dhawan reminded us that elegance never goes out of style.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, this rivalry is only getting more exciting. RR’s young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag are maturing beautifully, while PBKS are banking on the consistency of Dhawan and the x-factor of Livingstone.

If I had to guess, RR might have a slight edge — but with Punjab, you never know. They’re like that friend who shows up late to the party and still steals the spotlight.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, it’s this — expect the unexpected.

These games are emotional rollercoasters. One moment you’re shouting with joy, the next you’re sitting in stunned silence. But isn’t that what makes cricket beautiful? The unpredictability. The human emotion. The fact that anything can happen, and it usually does.

So the next time RR meets PBKS, grab your snacks, clear your schedule, and maybe keep a stress ball nearby — because this rivalry doesn’t just play out on the field… it plays out in your heart.