PBKS vs RR: In the 40th match of IPL 2026, the match is being played between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Shashank Singh is not playing in this match, which has now become a topic of discussion. Actually, in this match being played at Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, Punjab made two changes in its team, due to which the fans were surprised. Punjab Kings kept Shashank Singh and Xavier Bartlett out of the playing eleven for this important match. Suryansh Shedge and Lockie Ferguson were given a chance in their place. The Punjab team, which is in excellent form this season, has been unbeaten so far. The team has won 6 matches and one match remained inconclusive due to rain. In such a situation, the team wants to maintain its winning streak.
Why is Shashank not playing?
During the toss, captain Shreyas Iyer revealed the reason for keeping Shashank out. He said that this change was made out of compulsion, although he did not clarify whether the players were injured or ill. He said that Suryansh Shedge has come into the team today in place of Shashank and the other change is that Lockie Ferguson has been included in the team in place of Xavier Bartlett.
During this, an emotional moment was also seen, when Shreyas Iyer expressed grief over the demise of the mother of Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. He said that on behalf of the entire team, he would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Ajmat and his family on their loss. We are with them in every good and bad time.
Rajasthan won the toss
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag won the toss and decided to bowl first. Rajasthan has also made two changes in its team. Dasun Shanaka was included in place of Shimron Hetmyer, while Yash Punja replaced Ravi Bishnoi. During the toss, Ryan said that there are two changes in the team. Hetmyer is sitting out, Dasun Shanaka has come into the team. And there is one more change. Bishnoi has gone out and Yash Punja has come in.
It is noteworthy that Shashank Singh’s exclusion may have been shocking for the fans, but according to the captain, it was a decision taken out of compulsion. Now it will be interesting to see how much the new players are able to take advantage of this opportunity and whether Punjab is able to maintain its winning streak or not.
Playing XI of Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ryan Parag (captain), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Joffra Archer, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Berger, Yash Punja.
Playing XI of Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
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