Published on: May 16, 2026 3:30 pm IST | Updated on: May 15, 2026 4:53 pm IST
One of the most-awaited clashes of the Tata IPL 2026 is here. Match 61 promises to be a rerun of last season’s final with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru locking horns against last season’s finalists, Punjab Kings, at the picturesque Dharamsala. The Royal Challengers have become the first team this season to make it to the final 4. On the other hand, the Punjab Kings, who were leading the points table at the halfway stage of the tournament, have suddenly succumbed to five losses in a row and are desperate to get a win and keep themselves among the last four. It is going to be one hell of a game at the high altitude of Dharamsala between two quality sides. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 61st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), PBKS vs MI, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
The Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the top two teams last season. Kings were the ones who ended on the losing side in the Tata IPL 2025 final. This year, Kings topped the group stage in the first half, and now it’s the reigning champion, Royal Challengers, who lead the IPL points table. It is going to be a good contest between the two sides, but going by the current form, RCB definitely has the upper hand heading into this contest. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 61st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), PBKS vs MI, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
PBKS: 66% win chance MI: 34% win chance
The Punjab wicket-keeper batter is also their highest run-getter this season with 439 runs from 11 innings. He is fresh off a fifty in the last game against MI and will be looking to deliver yet again in this all-important clash.
The Punjab skipper is one of the men in form with the bat for the Kings. He is just 4 short of 400 runs this IPL season and will look to deliver his best in this game where his team needs him the most.
Fresh off his 9th IPL ton in the last game, Virat scored 129 runs last season against PBKS across 4 games, with a highest of 73*. With Salt not available at the top, Kohli will be a crucial wicket for the opposition.
The RCB skipper has scored 206 runs against this opposition across 8 games at a fairly healthy strike-rate of 140. Rajat will be a crucial cog in the middle order for RCB.
Check out our prediction for the PBKS vs RCB Indian Premier League 2026 match 61.
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) face a do‑or‑die situation as they prepare to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 61 of IPL 2026 at Dharamsala. Winless in their last five encounters, the Kings are desperate to halt their slide and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The rivalry has tilted heavily in RCB’s favor of late, with the reigning champions winning four of the last five meetings between the two sides. Adding to the pressure, PBKS were runners‑up in the IPL 2025 final, where they fell short against RCB. This season, Punjab looked dominant in the first half, topping the points table, but a sudden collapse has seen them slump to five consecutive defeats.
Meanwhile, RCB have once again emerged as the team to beat, leading the points table and carrying the confidence of champions. For PBKS, the challenge is immense, they must rediscover their batting firepower and tighten their bowling to avoid a sixth straight loss. With the picturesque Dharamsala setting the stage, this clash promises to be a high‑stakes rerun of last year’s final, where Punjab will fight to stay in contention.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will head into Match 61 of IPL 2026 at Dharamsala with confidence, having dominated the Punjab Kings in recent encounters. RCB have beaten Punjab in four of their last five meetings, and another victory here would mark their fourth straight win over the Kings.
The reigning champions are in prime form this season, sitting atop the points table and showcasing balance across departments. Their batting unit, led by stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, has consistently delivered, while the bowling attack, spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has kept opposition lineups under pressure.
Punjab, on the other hand, are struggling to find momentum. Despite topping the table in the first half of the season, they have now slumped to five consecutive defeats, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. With pressure mounting, PBKS must rediscover their spark to avoid a sixth straight loss.
This clash at the scenic Dharamsala promises high stakes, with RCB aiming to extend their dominance, and Punjab desperate to break the losing streak. Momentum favors Bengaluru, but Punjab’s fight for survival could make this a thriller. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 37 PBKS won: 18 MI won: 19 No Result: 0 Recent Form ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU: W L L W W Recent Form PUNJAB KINGS: L L L L L
The Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have collided 37 times in the Tata IPL. Their head-to-head record is an intense one as RCB pips PBKS with a solitary win. The former champions have won 19 games, whereas the last season’s finalists have won 18.
How will the two teams, i.e., the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fare in the 61st match of IPL 2026? Let’s take a look.
Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shashank Singh/Vishnu Vinod, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson/Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, IMPACT SUB: Yuzvendra Chahal
Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood IMPACT SUB: Raghu Sharma
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 61st match of the Indian Premier League 2026 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
In a day game at Dharamsala, the surface offers bounce and pace early before easing up for batters. With no dew factor to worry about, captains may lean towards chasing first, as it was seen in both previous games; the team chasing went on to win the game against the Punjab Kings.
The online live streaming of the 61st IPL 2026 match between the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take place live on the JioHotstar App. TV viewers can watch the match live on the Star Sports 1, 2, and 3 HD and non-HD channels.
The Punjab Kings are enduring perhaps their worst phase in recent times in the IPL. After winning 6 on the bounce in the first half of the Tata IPL 2026, they have succumbed to five straight losses, out of which two came in Dharamsala. The reigning champions have beaten PBKS in the last 4 instances, including the 2025 final, and once again, they will fancy their chances of toppling an under-pressure Punjab outfit. So, as per our prediction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to win IPL 2026 Match 61, PBKS vs RCB.
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