PBKS vs RCB Match 61 Preview: Shreyas Iyer Hosts Kohli's Top 3

Punjab Kings host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 Match 61 at PCA Stadium, Mullanpur — a fixture with direct playoff stakes. Shreyas Iyer vs Rajat Patidar: here's the complete preview.

Match overview

• Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Match 61
• Venue: PCA Stadium, Mullanpur
• Start: 19:30 IST — confirm on IPL 2026 schedule
• Broadcast: Star Sports, JioHotstar

Points-table context (23 April 2026)

PBKS unbeaten at the top, RCB/RR/SRH close behind. For live standings: IPL 2026 points table and mid-season analysis.

Punjab Kings form

Under Shreyas Iyer with Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh. Full Punjab Kings squad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru form

Under Rajat Patidar with Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Tim David. Full Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad.

Pitch — PCA Stadium, Mullanpur

True bounce, large square boundaries. Mohali pitch report.

Key battles

1. Shreyas Iyer vs Krunal Pandya — powerplay shape-setter.
2. Virat Kohli vs Shashank Singh — top-order anchor vs new-ball.
3. Overs 8-14 spin duel — IPL 2026 spin vs pace data.

Predicted XIs

Punjab Kings

1. Shreyas Iyer (c)
2. Glenn Maxwell
3. Yuzvendra Chahal
4. Arshdeep Singh
5. Prabhsimran Singh
6. Shashank Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

1. Virat Kohli
2. Phil Salt
3. Rajat Patidar (c)
4. Tim David
5. Josh Hazlewood
6. Krunal Pandya

Head-to-head

Full history: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru comparison.

Dream11 captain picks

1. Shreyas Iyer
2. Virat Kohli
3. Glenn Maxwell

See Dream11 captain-picks strategy and Dream11 captain vs VC multiplier.

Prediction

Slight edge to Punjab Kings at home. Toss + dew decide it. For dew captaincy: Dream11 dew factor strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match 61?

See live IPL 2026 schedule.

Where is Match 61?

PCA Stadium, Mullanpur.

Who are the captains?

Shreyas Iyer for Punjab Kings; Rajat Patidar for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Will dew be a factor?

Yes — significant after the 12th over of the 2nd innings.

Best Dream11 captain pick?

Shreyas Iyer or Virat Kohli.

The takeaway

Bookmark the IPL 2026 points table, schedule, and Dream11 tools.