IPL 2026: Match 61, PBKS vs RCB Match Prediction – Who will win today’s IPL match between Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match No. 61 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 17 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

PBKS are currently placed fourth in the points table, with six wins from 12 matches. However, they are going through a difficult phase, having suffered five consecutive defeats. The team will be eager to bounce back and come back to winning ways to finish in the top-2 in the points table. 

Meanwhile, RCB sit first in the standings with right wins and four losses from 12 matches. They will be eager to beat PBKS to gain two valuable points to clinch the playoffs spot. 

PBKS vs RCB Match Details

PBKS vs RCB Head to Head record

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. 

PBKS vs RCB Predicted Playing 11s

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Cooper Connolly, Vishnu Vinod (WK), Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):

Jacob Bethell/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer, Rasikh Salam, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy

Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal

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PBKS vs RCB Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli 

Virat Kohli (Source: IPL)

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. 

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Probable Best Bowler: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

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. 

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