The IPL 2025 final rematch is here. Punjab Kings (PBKS) host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 61 of IPL 2026 at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, on Saturday, May 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM IST.
This is a morning match, which changes the conditions significantly compared to evening games. PBKS are in the top 4, while RCB are fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
RCB beat PBKS by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final at Mullanpur. That emotional scar drives PBKS’s motivation this season. Currently, Prabhsimran Singh (359 runs, avg 44.88, SR 179.5) and Shreyas Iyer (328 runs, avg 54.67) lead PBKS’s batting, while Virat Kohli (387 runs, avg 48.38, SR 163.98) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (18 wickets, eco 7.26) are RCB’s match-winners.
Furthermore, Dharamsala’s uneven bounce and seam movement (no spin was bowled in the recent PBKS vs DC match here) make this a pacer’s paradise.
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2026 Match 61: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 61, IPL 2026 |
| Teams | Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Date | Saturday, May 17, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 AM IST (MORNING MATCH – D/N format) |
| Venue | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer (328 runs, avg 54.67, SR 163.18) |
| RCB Captain | Rajat Patidar (258 runs, avg 28.67, SR 179.16) |
| Key Context | IPL 2025 FINAL REMATCH (RCB won by 6 runs) |
| Rain Threat | 55-60% precipitation probability; Yellow Alert for Kangra |
The 10:00 AM start is a D/N format, which means the first innings is played in morning conditions (swing assistance, less dew, cooler temperatures). That heavily favours pace bowlers in the first innings. Additionally, there is a 55-60% rain probability with a Yellow Alert for the Kangra Valley per Yahoo Sports. If rain interrupts, DLS calculations could decide the match.
Players to Watch: Official Season Stats
Here are Key Players to watch out for:
PBKS Key Stats
| Player | M | Runs/Wkts | Avg | SR/Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prabhsimran (wk) | 10 | 359 runs | 44.88 | 179.5 |
| Shreyas Iyer (c) | 10 | 328 runs | 54.67 | 163.18 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 10 | 13 wkts | 17.53 SR | 9.55 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 8 | 6 wkts | 27 SR | 9.96 |
RCB Key Stats
| Player | M | Runs/Wkts | Avg | SR/Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 10 | 387 runs | 48.38 | 163.98 |
| Rajat Patidar (c) | 10 | 258 runs | 28.67 | 179.16 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10 | 18 wkts | 13 SR | 7.26 |
Bhuvneshwar‘s 18 wickets at eco 7.26 and SR 13 (wicket every 13 balls) is the standout bowling stat in IPL 2026. His swing bowling on Dharamsala’s seam-friendly surface in morning conditions could be devastating. Furthermore, Iyer‘s avg of 54.67 is the highest among all captains in IPL 2026 per ESPNcricinfo.
IPL 2025 Final Flashback: RCB Won by 6 Runs
In the IPL 2025 final at Mullanpur, RCB won by 6 runs to lift their maiden IPL title. PBKS topped the table in the league phase with 9 wins in 14 matches but fell short in the final, chasing 191. That result remains a painful memory for PBKS fans and players, making every PBKS vs RCB clash emotionally charged.
Both teams have key players from that final. Kohli scored 657 runs in IPL 2025. Iyer led PBKS to their first final in 11 years. Arshdeep, Jansen, and Chahal were PBKS’s key bowlers. This rivalry has become one of IPL’s newest and fiercest.
Dharamsala HPCA Pitch Report: A Pacer’s Paradise
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Uneven bounce; significant seam movement |
| Recent PBKS vs DC Match | Not a single over of spin bowled! All-pace attack |
| Morning Match Impact | Swing in morning conditions; cooler temp; less dew |
| Bat First Advantage | 3 of 4 matches won by bat-first at Dharamsala in IPL 2025 |
| Rain Threat | Yellow Alert; 55-60% precipitation; heavy thunderstorms possible |
| Temperature | ~25 degrees C; cooler than other IPL venues |
Dharamsala is the most seam-friendly venue in IPL 2026. The recent PBKS vs DC match saw not a single over of spin bowled per Yahoo Sports. That stat alone tells you how much the surface assists pace. Combined with the 10:00 AM morning start (overcast conditions, swing assistance, no dew), this could be the lowest-scoring match of the season.
For RCB, this suits Bhuvneshwar (swing master, eco 7.26) and Hazlewood (bounce and seam) perfectly. For PBKS, Arshdeep (13 wickets), Jansen‘s left-arm angle, and Vyshak‘s seam movement make them equally dangerous.
PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs RCB
PBKS will retain the XI from the MI match. All-pace attack expected.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Priyansh Arya | Opener |
| 2 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | No. 3 |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Middle Order / Captain |
| 5 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder |
| 6 | Shashank Singh | Middle Order |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | Pace All-rounder |
| 8 | Xavier Bartlett / Kyle Jamieson | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Leg-spinner |
Impact Player Options: Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Suryansh Shedge
[NOTE] Chahal may be dropped for an extra pacer (Jamieson or Omarzai). In the PBKS vs DC Dharamsala match, no spin was bowled at all.
RCB Predicted Playing XI vs PBKS
Salt returns. Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood will relish Dharamsala conditions. Suyash Sharma‘s spin role diminished on this surface.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | Opener |
| 3 | Rajat Patidar (c) | No. 3 / Captain |
| 4 | Jitesh Sharma (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 5 | Tim David | Finisher |
| 6 | Romario Shepherd | Pace All-rounder |
| 7 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Rasikh Salam Dar | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Suyash Sharma | Leg-spinner |
Impact Player Options: Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Bethell, Yash Dayal
Key Player Battles to Watch
Here are Key Players Battles to watchout for:
Bhuvneshwar vs Prabhsimran: Swing vs Aggression
Bhuvneshwar‘s 18 wickets (eco 7.26, SR 13) in morning conditions at Dharamsala against Prabhsimran‘s 359 runs (avg 44.88, SR 179.5) is the powerplay decider. Bhuvneshwar’s swing on this seam-friendly surface could be unplayable. However, Prabhsimran’s SR of 179.5 shows he can attack even the best bowling.
Iyer vs Hazlewood: Captain vs Precision
Iyer‘s avg 54.67 (highest among captains) against Hazlewood‘s Australian precision on a bouncy surface creates a middle-overs battle that could define the match. Hazlewood’s back-of-a-length on Dharamsala’s uneven bounce will test Iyer’s technique against pace.
Arshdeep vs Kohli: Death Overs vs Milestone Hunter
Arshdeep‘s 13 wickets against Kohli‘s 387 runs. Kohli’s back-to-back ducks add vulnerability, but his ability to bounce back on big occasions is legendary. At Dharamsala, where the ball moves, Arshdeep’s left-arm angle could trouble Kohli’s outside edge.
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2026 Match 61: Match Prediction
This is a genuine 50-50 contest. The morning conditions and Dharamsala’s seam-friendly surface make it impossible to call a clear favourite.
Why PBKS Hold a Slight Home Edge
First, home advantage. PBKS have played multiple matches at Dharamsala this season and understand the conditions. They have adapted their strategy (all-pace, no spin vs DC) to suit the surface.
Second, Prabhsimran and Iyer’s form. Prabhsimran‘s 359 runs (avg 44.88) and Iyer‘s 328 runs (avg 54.67) give PBKS two set batters who can anchor on difficult surfaces.
Why RCB Could Win Away from Home
RCB’s three international pacers (Bhuvneshwar 18 wkts eco 7.26, Hazlewood, Rasikh) thrive on seam-friendly surfaces. Additionally, Bhuvneshwar‘s swing in morning conditions at Dharamsala could be match-winning. Furthermore, Salt’s return adds firepower at the top.
Toss Prediction: Both captains may prefer batting first. Morning conditions favour bowling, but bat-first teams have won 3 of 4 matches at Dharamsala in IPL 2025. Setting a total on this surface could be the smarter strategy.
Rain Alert: 55-60% precipitation probability. Yellow Alert for Kangra Valley. Heavy thunderstorms possible. If rain interrupts, DLS calculations decide the result.
Final Verdict
Match 61 of IPL 2026 is the IPL 2025 final rematch at Dharamsala’s seam-friendly HPCA Stadium. The 10:00 AM morning start creates unique conditions: swing for pacers, no dew, and cooler temperatures. Both teams have elite pace attacks (Bhuvneshwar 18 wkts eco 7.26 vs Arshdeep 13 wkts + Jansen‘s left-arm angle).
Expect a low-scoring thriller. The team that handles Dharamsala’s uneven bounce and seam movement better will win.
Prabhsimran‘s 359 runs and Kohli‘s 387 runs are the key batting stats, but on this surface, the bowlers will dictate the outcome. Keep an eye on the rain forecast too.
