Punjab Kings are in top form in IPL 2026. The team is unbeaten so far and coming off a massive run chase that has boosted confidence in the camp. As they prepare to face Rajasthan Royals, a few key changes are expected in the playing XI.
Lockie Ferguson likely to replace Xavier Bartlett
PBKS are expected to make a change in their bowling attack. Xavier Bartlett started the season well but has struggled in recent matches.
| Last 3 Matches | Value |
|---|---|
| Wickets | 1 |
| Economy Rate | 13.50 |
| Runs conceded (last match) | 69 |
His only wicket in recent games came late in the innings, and his high economy rate has been a concern.
Lockie Ferguson is now set to return to the XI. He joined the squad recently after a short break and brings extra pace and control, especially in powerplay and middle overs. His inclusion is expected to strengthen the bowling unit.
Pressure on Nehal Wadhera in middle order
Nehal Wadhera is also under pressure due to poor form this season.
| Season | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 | 65 | 51 | 127.45 |
These numbers are not ideal for a number five batter. Last season, he performed well, but this year he has not been able to make an impact.
PBKS management is considering giving him a break and trying other players in the middle order.
Replacement options for Wadhera
PBKS have a few options to replace Wadhera:
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Vinod | Yet to debut this season |
| Suryansh Shedge | Played limited matches last season |
| Musheer Khan | Young talent, impressed in training |
These players could be used as impact substitutes depending on match conditions.
Also See : Lungi Ngidi Ruled Out of DC vs RCB IPL 2026 Match After Head Injury Scare
Predicted PBKS Playing XI vs RR
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | Wicketkeeper opener |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya | Opener |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | Batting all-rounder |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Middle-order batter |
| 5 | Marcus Stoinis | Batting all-rounder |
| 6 | Shashank Singh | Batting all-rounder |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | Bowling all-rounder |
| 8 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Fast bowler |
| 9 | Lockie Ferguson | Fast bowler |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Fast bowler |
| 11 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Leg-spinner |
Impact Sub: Vishnu Vinod / Suryansh Shedge / Musheer Khan
Team balance and strategy
This lineup gives PBKS a strong mix of batting depth and bowling variety. With Ferguson adding pace and Chahal leading the spin attack, the bowling looks balanced.
The only key decision remains the middle order, where the team might rotate players to maintain momentum.
Final thoughts
Punjab Kings are in a great position this season. Smart team changes like bringing in Ferguson and adjusting the middle order could help them continue their winning run.
The match against Rajasthan Royals will be a good test to see how these changes work on the field.
