PBKS vs RCB: Punjab Kings face must-win clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The 61st IPL 2026 match will be between the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The match is very crucial for Punjab Kings, but Royal Challengers Bangalore need just one more victory to qualify for the playoffs, and it seems that they will easily get that chance. Bangalore is leading the league with eight wins in twelve matches, whereas Punjab Kings have fourteen points out of twelve matches played.

It is the third match of the season in Dharamsala, and Punjab Kings have lost both the previous matches there. Punjab Kings had won six consecutive matches, but now they have lost five consecutive matches, putting them in danger of being eliminated from the playoffs.

Everything on the line. ??#RCB have their eyes locked on the top spot, while #PBKS fight to break a 5-game losing streak and keep their playoff dream alive! ⚡?#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 ? #PBKSvRCB | SUN, MAY 17, 2:30 PM pic.twitter.com/3sJs2jiWYT

amp_stories Web Stories

photo_library

Jaipur's 18-Year-Old Meenakshi Chhapola Crowned Miss Grand Rajasthan 2026, Set to Represent State at Miss Grand India

HOT

photo_library

Over 1,200 Participants Attend First Grand Audition of Miss Rajasthan 2026 in Jaipur

expand_more Read More

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 17, 2026

On the other hand, Bengaluru is on a winning streak, having won both of its previous matches. Considering the head-to-head record between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings, the two teams have faced each other seven times since 2023, with Punjab Kings defeating RCB only once.

Although RCB holds the upper hand in the overall record, the score is only 19-18. So far, the two have met 37 times, with RCB winning 19 matches, while Punjab Kings have won 18.

If Punjab Kings lose this match, their playoff chances will be jeopardized. Although they can easily qualify for the playoffs by winning the last two matches, considering their performance against RCB and their record in Dharamsala, the difficulties and tensions for Shreyas Iyer and Co. will definitely increase.

RCB's probable playing 11: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy, and Josh Hazlewood.

PBKS' probable playing 11: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Umarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal.