If you are here for the PBKS vs RCB Today Match Prediction, you have come to the right place. Dharamsala is the venue, the stakes could not be higher and both sides are walking into this one with completely different problems. RCB are cruising at the top and one win away from booking their playoff spot. Punjab are five losses deep and running out of time. Something has to give today up in the hills and we have broken down everything you need to know before the toss.
Today’s PBKS vs RCB Match 61 IPL 2026 Winning Percentage
Series: Indian Premier League 2026
Teams: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Date: 17 May 2026
Time: 3:30 PM LOCAL (IST), 10:00 AM GMT, 3:00 AM PT, 6:00 AM ET
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamsala
Broadcast: Star Sports 1 HD / Star Sports 3
Streaming: JioHotstar
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Preview and Performance
Punjab Kings are sitting 4th on the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from 12 matches but do not let that fool you. This is a team in serious trouble. Six wins in the first half of the season had them looking like genuine playoff contenders, but five consecutive losses have completely derailed their campaign and the confidence in the camp right now is hard to read.
With the bat, they have been nothing short of brilliant all season. Cooper Connolly has been their standout performer with 436 runs at an average of 48.44 including a century, while Prabhsimran Singh has provided explosive starts at the top with 439 runs at a strike rate of 170.15. Shreyas Iyer has been quietly consistent with 396 runs averaging 49.50 and Priyansh Arya brings the firepower in the middle with a stunning strike rate of 216.66.
The bowling however tells a very different story. Arshdeep Singh leads the attack with 13 wickets but has been expensive at an economy of 9.69, and the rest of the bowling unit has struggled badly. Marco Jansen averaging 64.28 with the ball sums up just how much the bowling has let them down in recent weeks.
Two games remain, against RCB and LSG. Win both and they are in. Lose either and they could be watching the playoffs from home despite being 4th on the table just a few weeks ago.
Also check out our expert prediction for Match 60 — KKR vs GT Today Match Prediction, Match 60 IPL 2026 Betting Tips & Who Will Win Tonight
Gujarat Titans (GT) Preview and Performance
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been the best team in IPL 2026 and the numbers back that up completely. Sitting top of the table with 16 points from 12 matches and the highest NRR in the tournament at +1.053, Rajat Patidar has led this side with real authority. They have slipped up four times this season but bounced back quickly every single time, which tells you a lot about the character in this dressing room.
With the bat, Virat Kohli has been simply outstanding. 484 runs at an average of 53.78 including a century, he has been the backbone of everything RCB have done this season. Devdutt Padikkal has been brilliant at the top with 367 runs at a strike rate of 172.30, Patidar himself has chipped in with 337 runs at a stunning strike rate of 192.57 and Tim David has been the perfect finisher averaging 39.00 with the bat.
The bowling has been even more impressive. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the standout bowler of the entire tournament, leading the Purple Cap race with 22 wickets at a remarkable average of 16.13. That is a completely different class to anyone else in the competition right now. Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Dar have all contributed well, giving RCB a well-rounded and balanced attack that most sides in this tournament simply cannot match.
One win from their last two games against Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad officially seals their playoff spot. At this point, it feels like a formality.
Today’s Playing XI Prediction — PBKS vs RCB, Match 61, IPL 2026
Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact Player: Vijaykumar Vyshak
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted Playing XI: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood.
Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal
Key Players to Watch — PBKS vs RCB, Match 61, IPL 2026
PBKS
- Cooper Connolly — 436 runs at 48.44 including a century, the most reliable batter in the PBKS line-up and the one they build their innings around.
- Prabhsimran Singh — 439 runs at a strike rate of 170.15, gives PBKS a flying start almost every time and sets the tone early.
- Priyansh Arya: 32 sixes and a strike rate of 216.66 this season, one of the most destructive batters in the tournament right now.
- Arshdeep Singh: 13 wickets and the leader of this attack, always the first name PBKS turn to when they need a big wicket.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: 9 wickets and a constant threat in the middle overs, can turn a game on his day.
- Vyshak Vijaykumar: 9 wickets in 9 matches at a strike rate of 18.66, brings genuine pace and aggression to the attack.
RCB
- Virat Kohli: 484 runs at 53.78 including a century, has been in a completely different league this season.
- Devdutt Padikkal: 367 runs at a strike rate of 172.30, gives RCB an explosive start at the top every single game.
- Tim David: 234 runs at a strike rate of 193.38, an absolute nightmare to bowl at in the death overs.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Purple Cap holder with 22 wickets at 16.13, the best bowler in IPL 2026 by some distance.
- Josh Hazlewood: 11 wickets in 9 matches including a four wicket haul, brings real hostility and bounce.
PBKS vs RCB Weather Report Dharamsala | May 17
Good news for fans, the weather in Dharamsala is not going to be a factor tonight. Clear skies, zero chance of rain and temperatures dropping from 21°C down to 16°C as the evening goes on. Perfect cricket conditions and a full 40 overs is all but guaranteed. No dew worries, no interruptions, just two sides going head to head in what should be a cracking contest up in the hills.
PBKS vs RCB Match 61 Pitch Report — HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
Dharamsala is a beautiful ground but do not let that fool you into thinking this will be a straightforward batting surface. Playing in the afternoon under sunlight with no evening dew means the pitch is expected to be on the drier side, and that is good news for the spinners. The high altitude and fast outfield will still give batters plenty to smile about and the extra bounce could cause problems for those not on top of their game. If a spinner finds some grip early, this match could pan out very differently to what most people are expecting.
PBKS vs RCB Toss Prediction — Match 61, IPL 2026
Our PBKS vs RCB toss prediction — RCB to win the toss and choose to bat first. With an afternoon game on a dry surface and no dew to worry about, batting first makes complete sense here. The pitch is expected to offer more for the spinners as the game goes on, so getting runs on the board early is the smarter call. And if Punjab Kings happen to win the toss instead, do not expect them to think twice either. Both sides will want to bat first today and whoever gets that call right at the toss could have a significant edge going into this one.
Looking for more betting tips for IPL 2026? Check our IPL Betting Tips
PBKS vs RCB Today Match Prediction — Who Will Win Match 61, IPL 2026?
Our PBKS vs RCB Match 61 Prediction — we are backing RCB to win this one. Look at what they have done this season. Top of the table, best NRR in the tournament at +1.053, eight wins from twelve matches and Bhuvneshwar Kumar running away with the Purple Cap. This is not a side that is just winning, they are winning convincingly. Virat Kohli is in the form of his life with 484 runs this season and the bowling unit has been the most complete in the competition. Punjab Kings are fighting for survival but five consecutive losses tell its own story. RCB are the real deal in IPL 2026 and today should be no different.
For more coverage on every game this IPL 2026 season, check out our Today IPL Match Prediction.