Key Match Details
The Punjab Kings are set to host the defending champions, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 17 for Match 61 of the 2026 Indian Premier League. This encounter is highly anticipated as it brings together two teams with contrasting performances this season.
Punjab Kings’ Struggles
Punjab Kings come into this clash following five consecutive losses after a strong start to the campaign where they remained unbeaten in their first seven games. Their current position is precarious, as they require wins in their remaining two matches to secure a better standing. In their last game, they were defeated by the Mumbai Indians, failing to defend a total of 201 runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Form
On the other hand, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been one of the most consistent teams in IPL 2026, securing eight victories out of twelve games. They are almost certain to qualify for the playoffs and aim to push for a top-2 finish with a win against the Kings. Their recent victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders was highlighted by a remarkable century from Virat Kohli.
Historical Context
This match marks the first meeting between the 2025 finalists this season. In their previous encounter, RCB emerged victorious and went on to claim the trophy. With both teams currently in different positions in the league, this match promises to be an exciting contest between two formidable sides.
Match Schedule
- Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 61, IPL 2026
- Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 2026, 3:30 PM (IST)
- Live Broadcasting & Streaming: JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website)
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 37 |
| Won by PBKS | 18 |
| Won by RCB | 19 |
| Tie/NR | 0 |
| First-ever fixture | May 5, 2008 (PBKS Win) |
| Most recent fixture | June 3, 2025 (RCB Win) |
Pitch Report for HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is renowned for its scenic beauty and thrilling atmosphere. The pitch is known for being batting-friendly, with a hard black soil wicket that offers consistent bounce and aids seamers with lateral movement. Due to the higher altitude, the ball travels faster, making it easier to score runs in boundaries and sixes.
Predicted Playing XIs
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
– Priyansh Arya
– Shreyas Iyer (capt)
– 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 (capt)
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Krunal Pandya
– Tim David
– Venkatesh Iyer
– Rasikh Salam
– Bhuvneshwar Kumar
– Josh Hazlewood
– Jacob Duffy
– Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal
