🏏IPL 2026: PBKS vs RCB , 61st Match, at Dharamsala on 17/05/2026🏏

🏏IPL 2026: PBKS vs RCB, 61st Match, at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on 17/05/2026 at 3:30PM IST🏏

RCB one win away from playoffs as they face struggling PBKS

Two wins in their last three games could ensure a top-two spot for Rajat Patidar's men

We've all heard about "peaking at the right time". What Punjab Kings (PBKS) have inadvertently shown in the last 20 days is slipping at the wrong time. Table-toppers for a good chunk of IPL 2026, PBKS have now slipped to fourth spot with five losses on the bounce. Their problems have compounded since the record chase against Delhi Capitals (DC): their batters aren't scoring as quickly, their bowlers are leaking at the wrong time, their fielding has been forgettable and luck has also left their side, with the coin falling in their favour only once in the last five outings.

PBKS were leaking runs in the first half of the tournament too, but their batting always made up for it. In the last five games, though, their scoring rate, batting average, control percentage and attacking-shot percentage have all dropped off.

The first-ten-balls strike rate of their top seven in their six wins was a whopping 236.20, but in the last five matches, it has reduced to 191. This is still a good number. Other teams will be happy with their new batters scoring 19 off ten. The real problem is what's happening to PBKS when their batters are set. Their top seven struck at 251.80 during balls 21 to 30 in their six wins. That figure has fallen off a cliff to 132.60 in the five losses.

If we compare the strike rates of individual batters during the six wins with their five losses, Prabhsimran Singh's has fallen from 192.60 to 139.40, Shreyas Iyer's has dipped from 186 to 128.60, Priyansh Arya's has gone from 249 to 166.70 and Shashank Singh's has slipped from 194.40 to 85.70. This re-match of the IPL 2025 final cannot have come at a worse time for PBKS.

Team News:

Punjab Kings

Injuries/Unavailability: Lockie Ferguson missed the Delhi Capitals fixture in Dharamsala with a slight niggle, with Ben Dwarshuis filling in. In the following game, Xavier Bartlett featured. On Saturday, Leipus offered optimism about Ferguson's availability when said: "I'm pretty sure we'll have a full squad to choose from."

Tactics & Match-ups: Virat Kohli strikes at 174.13 against Arshdeep Singh but the PBKS quick has often got the better of RCB's No.3 Devdutt Padikkal - dismissing him four times in 43 balls.

Probable XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Injuries/Unavailability: No new known absences for the table-toppers.

Tactics & Match-ups: Bhuvneshwar Kumar matches up well against each of PBKS' top-three - he has conceded 24 (25) to Priyansh Arya and has dismissed Prabhsimran Singh five times in 57 deliveries, giving away 88 runs. Against the veteran quick, Shreyas Iyer has fallen thrice and scored 45 off 50 balls. Iyer has fallen to Josh Hazlewood four times in 22 deliveries.

Probable XII: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood

HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala Pitch Report

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is regarded as one of the most picturesque cricket venues in the country. The venue has hosted two matches in IPL 2026, and both of them have been high scoring encounters, with teams scoring 200-plus totals with ease. The chasing teams have won both the contests, suggesting that the pitch gets better as the game progresses. This game being an afternoon game adds another dimesion to this contest.

Here are the key player battles in PBKS vs RCB, Match 61 of IPL 2026:

Shreyas Iyer vs Krunal Pandya

Shreyas Iyer, The Punjab captain will go up against RCB’s spinner Krunal Pandya in this crucial middle-overs face-off. Iyer is the one who holds the PBKS’ innings together with his calm presence. He has scored 396 runs in 11 innings.

Krunal, on the other hand, is one of RCB’s mainstays in the middle-overs with the ball. He gives them a good option to restrict the flow of runs. He also has picked up 10 wickets so far.

Arshdeep Singh vs Virat Kohli

The left-arm pacer from Punjab can cause trouble for Virat Kohli with his inswinging deliveries with the new ball despite not being in such a great form. Kohli, on the other hand, is once again carrying RCB’s batting on his back, scoring in almost every match. He is coming off after a stellar century against KKR, and would be in great confidence.

Arshdeep, too, is slowly gaining his confidence back after a shaky start to the season. This powerplay battle will be crucial in the context of the match.

Priyansh Arya vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

This powerplay battle between two in-form players promises to be a match defining one. Priyansh Arya has been terrific for PBKS, especially in the powerplay overs, where he just changes the complexion of the game with ease, scoring runs at a brisk rate. He has scored 364 runs at a stunning strike rate of 216.66.

But he will face an incredibly hard challenge against Bhuvneshwar, who has been in sensational form with the ball for RCB. The current Purple Cap holder can pose a great challenge in front of the youngster.

Probable Best Bowler: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Yet another stalwart of Indian cricket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be the bowler to watch out for in this contest. The RCB pacer has been prolific for them in their title defence, picking up 22 wickets so far in IPL 2026. He is the current holder of the Purple Cap as well. If there is any swing on offer, Bhuvneshwar can run through a batting order by himself.

PBKS vs RCB Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli

The greatest run-scorer in IPL's history, Virat Kohli will be the batter to watch out for in this contest. The right-hander has been in excellent form this season, and is coming off after scoring a sensational hundred against KKR in Raipur in a successful run chase. He has scored 484 at a strike rate of 165.75. If he manages to give RCB a solid platform, they can put on a challenging total on a good batting wicket.

Today's Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

PBKS Second To Bat

Powerplay: 55-65

200-210

RCB Second To Bat

RCB FlagPowerplay: 60-70

210-220

Win Probability

PBKS 50%

RCB 50%

Disclaimer

The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

Stats and trivia

• Iyer will be captaining his 100th match in the IPL, with 41 of those coming for DC, and 29 each for KKR and PBKS. He has the joint-best win percentage as a captain in the IPL (min. 60 matches), level with MS Dhoni at 58.3%.
• PBKS have won just one of their last seven games in Dharamsala.
• PBKS have scored as well as conceded eight 200-plus totals in this IPL, both joint-most in one IPL edition.
• Virat Kohli has the most runs - 1159 - by any batter against PBKS.
• RCB have the best scoring rate of 10.40 in the middle overs (7 to 16) this IPL, closely followed by PBKS' 10.10. Rajat Patidar has the most sixes in that phase, 28, with Iyer's 21 being the second most.