Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore could secure their spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs if they defeat the struggling Punjab Kings in the 61st match, scheduled to take place today at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
PBKS currently sits in fourth place on the points table, having won six of their 12 matches. However, the team is currently going through a difficult phase, having suffered defeats in five consecutive matches. The team will be desperate to stage a comeback, return to winning ways, and secure a spot in the top two of the points table.
RCB occupies the top spot on the points table, having won eight of their 12 matches and lost four. The team will be fully prepared to defeat PBKS, secure two crucial points, and cement their place in the playoffs.
PBKS vs RCB Head to Head record
| Matches Played | 37 |
| Won by PBKS | 18 |
| Won by RCB | 19 |
| Tie/NR | 0 |
| First-ever fixture | May 05, 2008 (PBKS Win) |
| Most recent fixture | June 03, 2025 (RCB Win) |
PBKS vs RCB Predicted Playing 11
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
PBKS vs RCB Player Stats
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Virat Kohli: The undisputed king of this marquee clash, having amassed a career total of 1,030 runs against Punjab. In IPL 2026, he has scored a total of 484 runs across 10 matches, maintaining an average of 48.38 and a strike rate of 163.98.
- Rajat Patidar: The RCB captain has admirably anchored the middle order, scoring 258 runs in 10 matches at a formidable strike rate of 179.16.
- Mohammed Siraj: With 14 wickets taken so far this season, he continues to spearhead RCB's pace bowling attack.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Shreyas Iyer: Leading PBKS from the front, the captain has been in magnificent form; he has amassed 514 runs in the tournament at a blistering strike rate of 171.90.
- Prabhsimran Singh: Operating as an explosive weapon in the top order, he has scored 439 runs in IPL 2026.
- Kagiso Rabada: This exceptional fast bowler has made excellent use of the bounce available on the 2026 pitches; with 21 wickets to his name, he remains near the top of the bowling charts.
PBKS vs RCB Pitch Report
Located in Dharamshala, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is considered one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the country. Two matches of IPL 2026 have already been played at this venue, and both were high-scoring encounters in which teams comfortably posted totals exceeding 200 runs. The teams chasing the target won both of these matches, suggesting that the pitch tends to improve as the game progresses. This match is scheduled to be played during the afternoon, adding yet another unique dimension to this contest.
PBKS vs RCB Probable Best Performers
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, the highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL, will be a batsman to watch in this match. This right-handed batsman is in tremendous form this season and is coming off a magnificent century scored during a successful run-chase against KKR in Raipur. He has amassed 484 runs at a strike rate of 165.75. If he succeeds in providing a strong foundation for RCB, they could post a challenging total on what promises to be a good batting wicket.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Another stalwart of Indian cricket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be a bowler to watch out for in this match. This RCB pacer has delivered a magnificent performance in his team's campaign to defend their title, having already claimed 22 wickets in IPL 2026 so far. He is currently the rightful holder of the 'Purple Cap' as well. If there is even the slightest bit of swing in the ball, Bhuvneshwar could single-handedly dismantle the entire batting lineup of the opposition.
Also Read: PBKS vs RCB & DC vs RR: Today IPL Match, Time, Venue, and Probable Playing 11
