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PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction IPL 2026 Match 34

Rahul Sharma 31 March 2026 Updated 31 March 2026 ~7 min read ~1,267 words
IPL 2026 ยท Dream11 Prediction
Punjab Kings
Punjab
VS
โš”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Bengaluru
31 March 2026

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PBKS host RCB in Match 34 of IPL 2026 at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali on 22 April 2026. The pace-friendly Mohali surface sets up an enthralling contest between Virat Kohli's batting class and Kagiso Rabada's searing pace. Both teams have plenty to play for in the playoff race, making this a high-stakes encounter with excellent Dream11 potential. Here is your complete Dream11 guide.

Match Overview

Match: PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2026 โ€” Match 34 Date: 22 April 2026 Time: 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) Venue: IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali Weather: Pleasant evening, temperature 22โ€“26ยฐC. Clear skies with gentle breeze. No rain forecast.

Mohali under lights is one of the best venues for cricket with excellent pace and bounce. PBKS have a strong pace attack built for these conditions while RCB bring the star power of Kohli and du Plessis. The dew factor will play a crucial role in shaping Dream11 team selection.


Pitch Report โ€” IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali

The Mohali pitch is a pacers' dream with consistent bounce and carry.

Key pitch characteristics:

  • Pace and bounce: Genuine assistance for fast bowlers, consistent carry to the keeper
  • Surface behaviour: Starts with a green tinge, settles into a good batting track
  • Dew factor: Heavy dew from the 12th over onwards, strongly favouring the chasing team
  • Average first innings score: 175โ€“190
  • Bowler strategy: Pace bowlers with bounce are lethal. Swing under lights is devastating

Team Analysis

PBKS โ€” Form & Key Players

Last 3 matches: PBKS have been strong at Mohali with their pace trio dominating opposition batting.

Key players to watch:

  • Shikhar Dhawan โ€” Experienced captain with a solid IPL record at Mohali
  • Liam Livingstone โ€” Power-hitter who thrives on bouncy surfaces
  • Kagiso Rabada โ€” World-class fast bowler who becomes lethal at Mohali
  • Arshdeep Singh โ€” Left-arm seamer with excellent new-ball and death bowling skills

Injury updates: All key players available. Full squad expected.

Strengths: Outstanding pace trio, Livingstone's power-hitting, home ground expertise Weaknesses: Top-order inconsistency, limited spin options

RCB โ€” Form & Key Players

Last 3 matches: RCB have been in excellent form with their batting consistently delivering across venues.

Key players to watch:

  • Virat Kohli โ€” The greatest IPL batter who elevates his game in big matches
  • Faf du Plessis โ€” Composed opener who handles pace bowling expertly
  • Glenn Maxwell โ€” All-rounder who can destroy any bowling on his day
  • Mohammed Siraj โ€” Pace spearhead who generates bounce and swing

Injury updates: Full squad available with no injury concerns.

Strengths: World-class top-order batting, Siraj and Hazlewood's pace bowling, Maxwell's all-round value Weaknesses: Middle-order depth, can struggle in low-scoring encounters

Head-to-head: In the last five meetings, PBKS have won 2 and RCB have won 3. RCB hold a slight edge.


Dream11 Best XI (โ‚น100L Budget)

RolePlayerTeamPricePoints Potential
WKDinesh KarthikRCBโ‚น9L35โ€“55
BATVirat KohliRCBโ‚น14L60โ€“85
BATFaf du PlessisRCBโ‚น12L50โ€“75
BATShikhar DhawanPBKSโ‚น11L45โ€“70
BATLiam LivingstonePBKSโ‚น10L50โ€“75
ALLGlenn MaxwellRCBโ‚น12L55โ€“80
ALLSam CurranPBKSโ‚น11L50โ€“75
BWLKagiso RabadaPBKSโ‚น10L45โ€“65
BWLMohammed SirajRCBโ‚น9L40โ€“60
BWLArshdeep SinghPBKSโ‚น8.5L35โ€“55
BWLJosh HazlewoodRCBโ‚น8.5L35โ€“55

Total: โ‚น100L | Total Players: PBKS (5) + RCB (6)


Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Primary Captain: Virat Kohli (RCB)

Why: Kohli thrives in high-stakes matches on pace-friendly surfaces. His technique against bounce and swing is world-class. Expected fantasy points: 80โ€“120.

Secondary Captain: Kagiso Rabada (PBKS)

Why: Rabada at Mohali with pace and bounce is nearly unplayable. His new-ball wickets and death-overs strikes guarantee fantasy returns. Expected fantasy points: 70โ€“100.

Vice-Captain 1: Glenn Maxwell (RCB)

Why: Maxwell's all-round value with bat and ball on a bouncy pitch provides dual scoring potential.

Vice-Captain 2: Sam Curran (PBKS)

Why: Curran's all-round contribution with batting depth and death bowling variations makes him reliable.


Playing 11 Prediction

PBKS Predicted XI

  1. Shikhar Dhawan (c)
  2. Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
  3. Atharva Taide
  4. Liam Livingstone
  5. Sam Curran
  6. Jitesh Sharma
  7. Harpreet Brar
  8. Kagiso Rabada
  9. Arshdeep Singh
  10. Rahul Chahar
  11. Nathan Ellis

RCB Predicted XI

  1. Faf du Plessis (c)
  2. Virat Kohli
  3. Rajat Patidar
  4. Glenn Maxwell
  5. Dinesh Karthik (wk)
  6. Mahipal Lomror
  7. Wanindu Hasaranga
  8. Harshal Patel
  9. Mohammed Siraj
  10. Josh Hazlewood
  11. Yash Dayal

Expert Tips

Toss Impact

  • If PBKS win toss: Will bowl first to exploit pace conditions under lights and dew while chasing
  • If RCB win toss: Will also prefer bowling first due to dew factor at Mohali

Strategy Tips

  1. Kohli on a bouncy Mohali pitch is a premium captain pick with his superior technique
  2. Rabada and Siraj head-to-head as pace bowlers โ€” pick both for wicket-taking potential
  3. Dew heavily favours the chasing team โ€” stack batters from the team batting second
  4. Livingstone's power-hitting on a true bounce pitch makes him a high-ceiling pick
  5. Arshdeep's left-arm angle under lights creates swing opportunities โ€” excellent value pick

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should be captain in PBKS vs RCB Dream11 team? A: Virat Kohli for batting safety on a pace-friendly pitch. Kagiso Rabada is the bowler captain for Grand Leagues.

Q: How does Mohali's pitch benefit pace bowlers? A: Mohali offers genuine bounce, carry, and swing under lights. Pick at least 3-4 pace bowlers in your Dream11 team.

Q: Is Liam Livingstone effective at Mohali? A: Livingstone thrives on bouncy pitches where he can use his power. Mohali's true bounce suits his aggressive style perfectly.

Q: What is the best Grand League differential? A: Captain Arshdeep Singh for Grand Leagues. His left-arm pace under lights at Mohali generates swing and wickets with low ownership.

Q: Should I pick more PBKS or RCB players? A: Go 5-6 balanced. If toss is known, lean towards the chasing team due to dew.


Match Prediction

Predicted Winner: RCB

Reasoning:

  • RCB's superior batting led by Kohli and du Plessis can handle Mohali's pace
  • Their pace bowling with Siraj and Hazlewood matches PBKS's attack
  • RCB's experience in pressure situations gives them an edge

Expected winning margin: 5 wickets (if chasing) or 12โ€“18 runs (if defending) Toss prediction: Chasing team will have a significant advantage due to dew


Key Takeaways for Dream11 Players

  1. Kohli is the premium captain on a pace-friendly Mohali surface
  2. Pace bowlers dominate โ€” Rabada, Siraj, Hazlewood, and Arshdeep all offer value
  3. Dew is the decisive factor โ€” stack the chasing team after the toss
  4. Maxwell and Curran are the best all-round picks for dual value
  5. Monitor the toss closely as it has outsized impact at Mohali

Internal Resources

For more Dream11 strategy, check out:


Good luck with your Dream11 teams! Remember, consistency over hunches wins in Grand Leagues. Pick with logic, not emotion. See you in the winning zone.


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Rahul Sharma

Expert in: Fantasy Tips

Rahul Sharma has played district-level cricket in Mumbai for 8 years and has personally tested more than 50 bats, pads, gloves, and helmets across different price ranges. He joined CricJosh to help Indian club cricketers make smarter equipment choices without overpaying. His reviews are based on real match and net session use, not sponsored samples.

Why trust this review: Rahul has used every product in this review across multiple match and net sessions before writing a word. He buys equipment at retail price and accepts no free samples.