PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction – IPL 2026 Match 70

Punjab Kings host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 70 of IPL 2026 at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on 7 May 2026. The pace-friendly Mohali surface sets up a cracking contest as Kagiso Rabada's lethal pace goes up against Virat Kohli's batting mastery. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, every run and wicket carries enormous significance for Dream11 fantasy players. Here is your complete Dream11 guide.

Match Overview

Match: PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2026 — Match 70 Date: 7 May 2026 Time: 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) Venue: IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali Weather: Pleasant evening, temperature 28–33°C. Clear skies. No rain threat. Moderate dew expected after 9 PM.

Mohali's pace and bounce make it one of the most exciting IPL venues. PBKS's pace-heavy attack is well suited to home conditions, while RCB's batting firepower — led by Kohli — has the quality to dominate any surface. This is a must-win for both teams in the playoff race.

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Pitch Report — IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali

The Mohali pitch is one of the most pace-friendly surfaces in the IPL, offering genuine assistance for fast bowlers.

Key pitch characteristics:

• Pace and bounce: Excellent carry and bounce that rewards fast bowlers who hit the deck
• Swing and seam: New ball movement in the powerplay, especially under lights
• Moderate spin: Limited assistance for spinners, though variations work
• Average first innings score: 172–185
• Bowler strategy: Fast bowlers with pace and bounce dominate. Swing in the powerplay is lethal

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Team Analysis

PBKS — Form & Key Players

Recent form: PBKS have shown improved form at home, winning two of their last three matches at Mohali.

Key players to watch:

• Jonny Bairstow — Aggressive opener whose pull and cut shots thrive on pace-friendly Mohali surfaces
• Kagiso Rabada — South African pace spearhead who becomes lethal at Mohali with pace, bounce, and swing
• Liam Livingstone — All-rounder whose power hitting on bouncy surfaces is devastating
• Arshdeep Singh — Left-arm swing master who finds extra movement at Mohali

Injury updates: Full squad available.

Strengths: Rabada and Arshdeep's pace, Bairstow's aggressive batting, home conditions suit pace bowling Weaknesses: Middle-order inconsistency, lack of reliable spin options

RCB — Form & Key Players

Recent form: RCB have been inconsistent but possess match-winners capable of turning any game.

Key players to watch:

• Virat Kohli — The king of IPL batting whose technique against pace is among the finest ever
• Glenn Maxwell — The Big Show thrives on bouncy surfaces where the ball comes onto the bat
• Mohammed Siraj — India's premier fast bowler who will relish Mohali's pace-friendly conditions
• Josh Hazlewood — Australian seamer whose line and length are impeccable on helpful surfaces

Injury updates: All key players fit and available.

Strengths: Kohli's batting mastery, Siraj and Hazlewood's pace bowling, Maxwell's power Weaknesses: Death bowling depth, inconsistent lower middle order

Head-to-head: RCB lead 5-3 in the last 8 encounters against PBKS. PBKS have won the last two matches at Mohali.

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Dream11 Best XI (₹100L Budget)

Role	Player	Team	Price	Points Potential
WK	Jonny Bairstow	PBKS	₹10.5L	45–75
BAT	Virat Kohli	RCB	₹12L	55–90
BAT	Faf du Plessis	RCB	₹9.5L	40–65
BAT	Liam Livingstone	PBKS	₹9.5L	40–70
ALL	Glenn Maxwell	RCB	₹9.5L	40–65
ALL	Sam Curran	PBKS	₹8.5L	35–55
BWL	Kagiso Rabada	PBKS	₹11L	50–80
BWL	Mohammed Siraj	RCB	₹9.5L	40–65
BWL	Arshdeep Singh	PBKS	₹9L	40–65
BWL	Josh Hazlewood	RCB	₹8.5L	35–60
BAT	Rajat Patidar	RCB	₹7.5L	30–50

Total: ₹100L | Total Players: PBKS (5) + RCB (6)

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Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Primary Captain: Virat Kohli (RCB)

Why: Kohli's technique against pace is peerless. On a surface offering bounce and carry, his ability to time the ball and play through the line makes him the safest and highest-ceiling captain pick. Expected fantasy points: 80–140.

Secondary Captain: Kagiso Rabada (PBKS)

Why: Rabada at Mohali with pace, bounce, and swing is a Dream11 jackpot. His ability to dominate the powerplay and deliver lethal yorkers at the death makes him the best bowling captain option. Expected fantasy points: 75–125.

Vice-Captain 1: Mohammed Siraj (RCB)

Why: Siraj's pace bowling at Mohali provides significant wicket-taking opportunities. His ability to move the ball in the powerplay guarantees early fantasy returns.

Vice-Captain 2: Jonny Bairstow (PBKS)

Why: Bairstow's aggressive batting on pace-friendly surfaces creates rapid fantasy points. His pull and cut shots are perfectly suited to Mohali's bounce.

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Playing 11 Prediction

PBKS Predicted XI

1. Jonny Bairstow (wk)
2. Prabhsimran Singh
3. Shikhar Dhawan (c)
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. Virat Kohli
2. Faf du Plessis (c)
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. Karn Sharma

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Expert Tips

Toss Impact

• If PBKS win toss: Likely to bowl first to exploit Mohali's pace-friendly conditions with the new ball
• If RCB win toss: May also bowl first given the swing and seam available early

Strategy Tips

1. Kohli is the premium captain pick — his technique against pace at Mohali is unmatched
2. Rabada and Siraj are must-pick pace bowlers — Mohali rewards quality fast bowling
3. Go 5-6 split towards RCB — their batting and bowling balance is stronger
4. Arshdeep provides left-arm swing value — his new ball movement at Mohali is devastating
5. Pace bowlers dominate — pick 4 fast bowlers for maximum bowling returns

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should be captain in PBKS vs RCB Dream11 team? A: Virat Kohli for Small Leagues due to his batting mastery against pace. Kagiso Rabada is the bowling alternative. For Grand Leagues, Mohammed Siraj offers pace bowling differential.

Q: How does the Mohali pitch affect batting strategy? A: Mohali's pace and bounce reward batters who play through the line. Kohli's technique is perfectly suited, while aggressive batters like Bairstow can thrive on the extra bounce.

Q: Is Josh Hazlewood worth picking at Mohali? A: Absolutely. Hazlewood's impeccable line and length on a helpful Mohali surface makes him a high-value bowling pick. His economy and wicket-taking ability are both excellent.

Q: What is the expected total at IS Bindra Stadium? A: Expect 172-185 batting first. Pace bowlers can restrict in the powerplay, but the batting surface allows good scoring in the middle and death overs.

Q: Should I pick more PBKS or RCB players? A: Go 5-6 towards RCB. Their balanced squad with Kohli, Maxwell, Siraj, and Hazlewood provides more consistent fantasy value.

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Match Prediction

Predicted Winner: RCB

Reasoning:

• Kohli's batting mastery against pace gives RCB a batting edge
• Siraj and Hazlewood will enjoy Mohali's pace-friendly conditions
• RCB's batting depth is stronger than PBKS
• PBKS's inconsistent middle order remains a concern

Expected winning margin: 18–25 runs (if defending) or 5 wickets (if chasing) Toss prediction: Both teams will want to bowl first for powerplay swing at Mohali

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Key Takeaways for Dream11 Players

1. Kohli and Bairstow are the premium batting picks on this pace-friendly surface
2. Rabada, Siraj, and Hazlewood are must-pick pace bowlers at Mohali
3. Go 5-6 towards RCB for stronger batting and bowling balance
4. Pace dominates spin at Mohali — prioritize fast bowlers
5. Moderate-to-high scoring expected — balanced picks between bat and ball work best

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Internal Resources

For more Dream11 strategy, check out:

• Dream11 Grand League Strategy for IPL 2026
• Dream11 Captain Picks for All IPL 2026 Matches
• IPL Head-to-Head Records
• Today's Playing 11

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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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Also Read

• IS Bindra Stadium Pitch Report
• Dream11 Budget Picks for IPL 2026
• IPL 2026 Fantasy Hub — All match predictions in one place