The Punjab Kings host the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 17 in Match 61 of the 2026 Indian Premier League.

The Kings started their season brilliantly, going unbeaten in their first seven games. Now, they sit on the brink of missing the playoffs, having lost five consecutive matches.

They face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a repeat of the previous year's final, with their season's hopes hanging in the air. They were beaten by the Mumbai Indians in Dharamshala on May 14, failing to defend a total of 201.

Here is the strongest predicted PBKS XI for Match 61 vs RCB: Top order: Prabhsimran Singh (Impact), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly,  Priyansh Arya & Prabhsimran Singh (Source : BCCI/IPL)

Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have been one of the most exciting opening pairs in the IPL, getting the Kings off to brilliant starts since the previous season. Prabhsimran scored a 32-ball 57 against Mumbai Indians, which was his fifth half-century of the season. Arya has been the dashing opener, scoring 364 runs at a whopping 216.67 strike rate.

Australian starlet Cooper Connolly has been one of the best rookie players of the 2026 season. Playing for the first time in the IPL, Connolly has seamlessly fit in at number 3 for the Kings, scoring 436 runs at 162.08, including his maiden T20 century against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Middle order: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod (wk),  Azmat Omarzai (Source: IPL)

Skipper Shreyas Iyer has once again been key with the bat for the Kings, scoring 396 runs at a strike rate of 164.32, including five half-centuries. He has settled into a role of the middle-order enforcer but was unable to cash in against MI. The Kings will need runs from their main man if they are to overcome the daunting RCB challenge.

Suryash Shedge is one of the most feared finishers in the domestic game. He has come in and scored vital runs in the back end, which included a half-century to rescue the innings against Gujarat Titans. 

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai played his first game in IPL 2026 against MI and was one of the best players on the day. A late 17-ball 38 followed by a brilliant spell of 2 for 36 proved his reliability as an all-rounder in the previous match.

Kerala wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod is a reputed attacking batter in the domestic circuit. He came in as an impact player when the Kings saw a collapse against MI, and also took the gloves in the second innings. He had a good performance behind the stumps and is expected to take the gloves for this fixture as well.

Lower order/bowlers: Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak Arshdeep Singh PBKS (Source: IPL)

Marco Jansen’s form has been a point of concern for an underperforming Punjab Kings bowling attack. The Proteas speedster has picked up just seven wickets in 12 games, going at an economy of 10.38. Xavier Bartlett has been in and out of the side and has picked up just five wickets in nine games, going at an economy of 11.58. He has been handy with the bat, adding vital runs in the lower order.

Arshdeep Singh has not had a season up to his lofty standards, but has picked up 13 wickets in 12 games as the Kings’ main strike bowler. He has also bowled at an economy rate of 9.70. Yuzvendra Chahal has picked up nine wickets at an economy of 9.35, bowling with control. Vijaykumar Vyshak has picked up nine wickets in nine games as a reliable all-phase bowler.

PBKS predicted XI for Match 61 vs RCB:

Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Cooper Connolly, Vishnu Vinod (wk), Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh