PBKS vs RCB Toss Shreyas Iyer, Jitesh Sharma. Image Credits: JioHotstar
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are hosting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in match 61 of the IPL 2026 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
For PBKS, this match is nothing less than a do-or-die contest. After enjoying a dream run with six consecutive victories earlier in the tournament, the team has suffered a shocking collapse, losing five matches in a row.
On the other side, RCB are entering the contest with full confidence. The defending champions have been one of the most consistent teams this season and currently sit at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 16 points from 12 matches.
PBKS and RCB's tournament so far
Led by captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS now find themselves in a difficult position with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. A defeat against RCB will make things difficult for Punjab, making this one of their most important games of the season.
RCB need just one more victory to officially confirm their place in the playoffs. The spotlight will once again be on star batter Virat Kohli, who comes into this match after smashing a sensational century against KKR in the previous game.
So, as the excitement is at an all-time high for the PBKS vs RCB match, in this article, let's take a look at the toss update and the playing XI's of Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2026: Playing XIs
In a significant development, RCB have suffered a major blow as their regular captain Rajat Patidar has been ruled out of this crucial match.
Rajat Patidar's replacement in captaincy is stylish wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma.
Talking about the toss, PBKS captain, Shreyas Iyer, has won the toss and decided to bowl first in the 100 game as the captain.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (c and wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
Punjab Kings Playing XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Talking about the team changes, PBKS have made two changes, with Xavier Bartlett and Marco Jansen making way for Harpreet Brar and Lockie Ferguson.
For the RCB, Devdutt Padikkal, Romario Shepherd and Suyash Sharma have replaced Rajat Patidar, Jacob Duffy and Rasikh Salam.
Rajat Patidar's replacement in the RCB Playing XI is Suyash Sharma.
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2026: Captains Thoughts
Jitesh Sharma (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain): "We would have loved to bowl first but happy with what we're going to do now. The wicket looks better. I think 40 overs, it won’t change anything.
(How is Rajat Patidar feeling?) Rajat is doing fantastic now. Hopefully, we will see him in Hyderabad.
(On team's performance) Yeah, we are very happy with the performance. The team goal is very simple — one match at a time — and we are trying to play our best cricket in every game. That’s it, one match at a time.
(On playoffs) Yes, sir. I think every game is important. This win can change everything for lots of teams and for us as well.
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(On team changes) As Rajat Patidar is not playing, Suyash Sharma comes in his place. Romario Shepherd is going to play in place of Jacob Duffy.”
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings Captain): "[What are they doing?] We are going to bowl first.
[Given it is an afternoon game, any advantage to bowl first?] If it's an afternoon game (chuckles)! If you have belief in your skills, it doesn't matter whether you bat or bowl first.
[On his 100th IPL game as a captain] I seriously had no clue that this was my 100th game as a captain in the IPL.
It is all about execution. We have been bowling fantastically. Pressure moments you have to execute. You can't change the past. You have to stay in the moment and embrace it.
[Team changes] (Harpreet) Brar comes in. One more player has come in. Ah... Lockie (Ferguson) comes in."
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2026: Impact Subs
Punjab Kings: Musheer Khan, Vishnu Vinod, Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis, Praveen Dubey
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Swapnil Singh, Rasikh Salam, Jordan Cox, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan
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