Kings of the Punjab and Rajasthan Royals Lock horns on Match 40 IPL 2026 At the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, Mullanpur, both the teams are making significant changes in their playing combinations. Rajasthan Royals captain Rian Parag won the toss and chose to field first, hoping to make the most of the surface under lights.
However, one of the most talked about points before the start of the game was the absence of two key Rajasthan players — Shimron Hetmyer and Ravi Bishnoi. Their omission surprised many fans, especially given the importance of the fixture in the race for the play-offs.
Why Shimron Hetmyer and Ravi Bishnoi are not playing?
Rajasthan Royals decided to go with two fresh faces as Hetmyer and Bishnoi were left out of the playing XI. While captain Parag did not reveal any injury concerns or specific reasons behind the decision, it appeared to be a tactical move based on team balance and match conditions.
The Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka He replaced Hetmyer in the middle order, giving RR an additional bowling option along with finishing ability. Meanwhile, the young spinner Young Raj Punja Bishnoi came in, saying the franchise wanted a different spin combination for the conditions in Mullanpur.
Speaking during the shoot, Parag clearly confirmed the two changes.
“Two changes. Hetmyer sits, Dasun Shanaka comes in. And one more change. Bishnoi comes out and Yash Punja comes in,” he said.
The decision reflects RR’s intention to adjust to the conditions rather than stick to a fixed combination.
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Lockie Ferguson finally makes his debut in IPL 2026
Punjab Kings also made two significant changes in its staff. captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed Suryansh Shedge He replaces Shashank Singh, who has struggled to make an impact this season, particularly with inconsistent fielding performances.
The bigger headline for PBKS was the entry of the New Zealand speed car Loki Fergusonfinally won the first game of IPL 2026. Ferguson replaced the Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett and adds serious pace and experience to Punjab’s bowling attack.
The Kiwi has missed the early part of the tournament due to personal reasons, but has finally been given his chance in this high-pressure encounter after recently joining the squad.
Shreyas Iyer said during the shooting: “Suryansh (Shedge) comes in for Shashank and Loki (Ferguson) comes in for X (Xavier Bartlett).”
The 11th of both teams is playing
Kings of Punjab: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Vadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja
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