Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Preview, Prediction, Teams, Timings, Lineups, and How to Watch — IPL 2026 Match 61

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is set for its most dramatic afternoon of IPL 2026. Punjab Kings (PBKS) host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 61 — a game where PBKS are fighting for their playoff lives and RCB are one win away from confirming a top-two finish.

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Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Match Details at a Glance

IPL 2026 Points Table Standing

Team Form & Context

Punjab Kings started IPL 2026 on fire — seven games unbeaten and sitting pretty at the top. Then the wheels came off spectacularly. Five consecutive losses have left them clinging to fourth place, needing wins in both remaining games just to keep qualification in their own hands. Their batting — once electrifying — has slowed badly, and their bowling has leaked at the worst moments. With 13 points from 12 games, this is PBKS’s last home match of the season. Lose here, and they are almost certainly out.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are playing like defending champions should. Eight wins in 12 games, top of the table, and Virat Kohli just smashed an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls against KKR. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the Purple Cap race with 22 wickets in 12 matches. RCB need just one more win to confirm their playoff berth — and they have all the momentum to get it.

Predicted Playing XIs

Punjab Kings (Probable XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Probable XI): Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy / Rasikh Salam

Venue & Pitch Report

The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala — set against the breathtaking Dhauladhar mountains — is one of the most scenic cricket grounds in the world. Both previous IPL 2026 matches here produced 200+ totals, and chasing teams won both. Being an afternoon game, dew will not be a factor. The toss winner will almost certainly elect to bowl first.

Match Prediction

RCB enter as strong favourites with a 65% win probability. Kohli’s century form, Bhuvneshwar’s consistency, and RCB’s overall balance make them the superior outfit right now. PBKS have home advantage and T20 firepower in their top order, but their recent form — and a poor record at Dharamsala (6 losses in 7 home games) — works against them. Head-to-head: RCB lead 19–18 overall, winning 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Prediction: RCB to win.

For detailed IPL 2026 previews, match analysis, and fantasy cricket tips, head to TechnoSports.

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