RCB are the slight favourites to beat Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 Match 61 at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The defending champions sit 1st in the points table with 16 points and a dominant NRR of +1.05, while PBKS have slipped to 4th after losing four consecutive matches.
This is also a rematch of the IPL 2025 Final, which RCB won by 6 runs to clinch their maiden title. The 3:30 PM start at a high-altitude venue makes this a unique tactical contest with less dew impact than a typical evening fixture.
IPL 2026 Match 61 PBKS vs RCB Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 61, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Date | Sunday, May 17, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| RCB Captain | Rajat Patidar |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
IPL 2026 Match 61 Odds for PBKS vs RCB
The betting market paints a clear picture. RCB are favoured across all platforms, largely due to their superior current form and stronger NRR.
PBKS’s four-match losing streak has nudged their odds into underdog territory. However, the home advantage at Dharamshala keeps them competitive. This is an afternoon fixture, which historically reduces the gap between the two sides, since dew won’t be a factor in team selection or toss decisions.
| Platform | PBKS Win Odds | RCB Win Odds | Toss Odds (PBKS) | Toss Odds (RCB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 2.10 | 1.72 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 2.15 | 1.68 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 2.20 | 1.70 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| BetVibe | 2.12 | 1.71 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
IPL 2026 Match 61 Toss Prediction for PBKS vs RCB
This is where Dharamshala plays its wildcard.
Unlike most IPL venues, teams batting first have won four of the last five IPL matches played here since 2023. The pitch gets slower as the game progresses, making batting tougher in the second innings. And because this is a 3:30 PM afternoon start, there will be no significant dew to help the chasing side grip the ball.
Shreyas Iyer knows this ground. He has already played one match here in IPL 2026 (PBKS vs DC on May 11), where PBKS batted first and posted 210/5. The trend suggests both captains will want to bat first if they win the toss.
Interestingly, teams losing the toss have historically won more matches here than the toss winners. So the toss, while relevant, is not the match-decider it often is elsewhere.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to bat first.
PBKS Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 61
Punjab Kings were the IPL 2025 runners-up, and they started this season like a freight train, winning six of their first seven matches. But the wheels have come off. A four-match losing streak against RR, GT, SRH, and DC has pushed them from the top of the table to 4th place with 13 points.
Lockie Ferguson has a slight niggle and was replaced by Ben Dwarshuis in the last match. If Ferguson is fit, he walks back in. If not, Dwarshuis holds his spot.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Priyansh Arya | Batter (Opener) | 24-ball fifty vs DC in the last match |
| 2 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) | Struggling for consistency lately |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | All-rounder | Century vs SRH earlier this season |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter | Half-century vs DC in the last match |
| 5 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder | Key middle-order enforcer |
| 6 | Suryansh Shedge | All-rounder | 21 off 8 balls vs DC, growing finisher |
| 7 | Shashank Singh | Batter | One of IPL’s best finishers |
| 8 | Marco Jansen | Bowler | Pace all-rounder, left-arm angle |
| 9 | Lockie Ferguson / Ben Dwarshuis | Bowler | Ferguson preferred if fit |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | Economy over 10 in 7 of 10 games |
| 11 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler | Lead spinner |
| 12 (Impact) | Harpreet Brar / Yash Thakur | Bowler | Spin or pace option, depending on the match |
Key Concern: Arshdeep Singh is having one of his worst IPL seasons. His economy rate has been above 10 in seven out of ten matches this season. Against a batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli and Tim David, that is a recipe for trouble.
RCB Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 61
RCB are the defending IPL champions, and they are playing like it. Seven wins from 12 matches, a table-topping NRR of +1.103, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar leading the Purple Cap race with 22 wickets.
Phil Salt has been injured and has missed the last five matches. Jacob Bethell has taken over the opening slot alongside Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli just broke the record for most IPL matches played (279), surpassing MS Dhoni.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Bethell | All-rounder (Opener) | Filling in for injured Phil Salt |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | Batter (Opener) | Record 279 IPL caps; 9000+ IPL runs |
| 3 | Rajat Patidar (c) | Batter | Won 10 of 13 matches as captain in 2025 |
| 4 | Jitesh Sharma (wk) | WK-Batter | Lean run recently |
| 5 | Tim David | Batter | Among the best T20 finishers globally |
| 6 | Krunal Pandya | All-rounder | 100+ IPL wickets, match-winner in 2025 final |
| 7 | Venkatesh Iyer | All-rounder | Signed for Rs 7 crore, adds batting depth |
| 8 | Rasikh Salam | Bowler | Raw pace, effective with the new ball |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | Purple Cap leader, 21 wickets |
| 10 | Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | Excellent death-over control |
| 11 | Jacob Duffy | Bowler | NZ pacer, useful backup option |
| 12 (Impact) | Devdutt Padikkal / Romario Shepherd | Batter / All-rounder | Tactical option based on match situation |
Key Strength: RCB’s death bowling has been outstanding this season. Against KKR, Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh, and Hazlewood all executed their yorkers superbly, keeping KKR to just 192/4 despite a strong start.
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala Pitch Report IPL 2026
The HPCA Stadium is not your typical flat IPL wicket. Sitting at a high altitude in the Kangra Valley, this ground offers something different for both batters and bowlers.
Stadium Details:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala |
| Capacity | ~23,000 |
| Pitch Type | True bounce, batting-friendly, but slows down |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL) | ~187 runs |
| Square Boundaries | 63m and 65m (short) |
| Straight Boundary | 72m |
| Best Strategy | Bat first (4 out of 5 wins since 2023) |
What to expect on May 17:
- The thin air at altitude helps the ball travel faster once struck cleanly. Six-hitting is a big feature at this ground. Big hitters like Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, and Priyansh Arya will relish the conditions.
- Pacers get early assistance. There is usually some seam movement in the first 2-3 overs, which makes the powerplay crucial. Josh Hazlewood and Marco Jansen will look to exploit this window.
- The surface slows down as the match progresses. This is the key difference from flat-deck venues like Chinnaswamy or Eden Gardens. Batting gets harder in the second innings, which is why batting first has been the winning formula here.
- Afternoon match means minimal dew. With a 3:30 PM start and the game expected to finish before 7 PM, the dew factor, which usually helps the chasing team, is essentially neutralised.
- Expected score range: 180-210 batting first, with anything above 225 being an excellent total.
PBKS have a poor record at this venue. They have won only 6 out of 14 IPL matches played in Dharamshala. Not exactly a fortress.
Dharamshala Weather Report, May 17, 2026
Dharamshala in May is unpredictable. The Kangra Valley often sees sunny mornings and sudden afternoon thunderstorms. Here is what the forecast shows.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Partly cloudy, scattered showers possible |
| Temperature | 15°C – 21°C (afternoon) |
| Humidity | Moderate to high (~65-75%) |
| Wind Speed | Light winds, 8-12 km/h |
| Rain Probability | ~30% during match hours |
| Dew Factor | Minimal (afternoon match, ends before evening) |
| Match Interruption Risk | Low to moderate; brief showers possible but unlikely to wash out the game |
The good drainage system at the HPCA Stadium has helped games continue even after heavy spells in the past. A full 40-over contest is expected.
Dream11 Team for PBKS vs RCB
PBKS vs RCB Head-to-Head Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | RCB Wins | PBKS Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 19 | 18 | 0 |
It does not get more evenly matched than this. RCB holds a razor-thin 19-18 lead across 37 encounters.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 Final | June 3, 2025 | RCB | 6 runs | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 | May 29, 2025 | RCB | 8 wickets | Mullanpur, Chandigarh |
| IPL 2025 (Match 37) | April 20, 2025 | RCB | 7 wickets | Mullanpur, Chandigarh |
| IPL 2025 (Match 34) | April 18, 2025 | PBKS | 5 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru |
| IPL 2024 (Match 58) | May 9, 2024 | RCB | 60 runs | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
RCB have won four of the last five encounters, including the two highest-stakes matches of IPL 2025: the Qualifier 1 and the Final.
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
- RCB’s highest total against PBKS is 241/7, scored right here at Dharamshala in IPL 2024. Virat Kohli smashed 92 off 47 balls in that game.
- PBKS’s biggest win against RCB at Dharamshala was the 111-run demolition in IPL 2011, when Adam Gilchrist scored 106 and Shaun Marsh added an unbeaten 79.
- Virat Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in this fixture with 1030 runs.
- The IPL 2025 Final was this rivalry’s crowning moment. Krunal Pandya’s 2/17 shut PBKS out of the chase, and RCB won their first title by just 6 runs.
Our Prediction: RCB Has Better Chances to Win Against PBKS in IPL 2026 Match 61
Bottom line: RCB win, likely batting first and posting 195-210.
Why RCB Can Win
Form speaks louder than home advantage. RCB have 7 wins from 12 matches, a +1.103 NRR, and sit 2nd in the table. PBKS have lost four straight and are wobbling at a critical stage of the season.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the Purple Cap holder with 21 wickets, and he has been exceptional in the death overs (Khel Now). At Dharamshala’s altitude, his slower balls and cutters will be even more effective against PBKS’s middle order.
Virat Kohli has owned this fixture. His 1030 runs against PBKS are the most by any batter in this head-to-head. And he scored 92 off 47 balls the last time these two sides met at Dharamshala. That is not a coincidence; Kohli thrives against this attack.
RCB have won 4 of the last 5 meetings against PBKS, including the Final and Qualifier 1 from last season. The psychological edge is real.
Why PBKS Can Win
Home advantage is not a myth, even if the numbers say otherwise. PBKS scored 210/5 at this ground just days ago against DC. They know the conditions, and the crowd, however small at 23,000 capacity, will be firmly behind them.
Cooper Connolly is having a breakout IPL season. His century against SRH showed he has the temperament and the timing to anchor a T20 innings. If he fires alongside Shreyas Iyer, PBKS can post a competitive total.
Motivation. This is the side that lost the IPL 2025 Final by 6 runs. Every Punjab player in that dressing room remembers how close they came. Revenge is a powerful fuel in knockout-style situations, and this match, with playoff implications, feels like one.
Marco Jansen’s left-arm angle could trouble RCB’s right-handed-heavy top order on a surface that offers early seam movement.
Final Verdict
This is a match between a team in freefall and a team with championship composure. PBKS have the talent to snap their losing streak, but RCB’s superior bowling attack, their dominance in this head-to-head, and their momentum make them the smarter pick.
Prediction: RCB to win by 15-20 runs, defending a first-innings total of 200+.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of May 13, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
