RCB vs PBKS 61st IPL Match Highlights saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Punjab Kings by 23 runs at Dharamsala in the 61st match of IPL 2026. Batting first, RCB posted 222/4 before restricting PBKS to 199/8 in a high-scoring encounter. The result strengthened RCB’s top position in the points table while PBKS remained fourth in the standings.
RCB vs PBKS IPL 2026: Highlights Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
The match was broadcast across major global cricket networks with region-wise coverage as follows:
- Pakistan: Streaming not available due to regional restrictions.
- India: Star Sports Network (TV); JioHotstar app and website (Streaming)
- Australia & New Zealand: Fox Cricket / Foxtel, Sky Sport NZ (TV); Kayo Sports, Sky Sport Now, YuppTV (Streaming)
- USA & Canada: Willow TV, ATN Cricket Plus (Canada TV); Willow TV App, Fubo, Sling TV, ATN Online (Streaming)
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event (TV); Sky Go, NOW TV (Streaming)
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) (TV); Rabbithole App (Streaming)
- Sri Lanka: SLRC Channel Eye (TV); Dialog TV Go, Yupp TV (Streaming)
- Nepal: Star Sports (TV); JioHotstar via India feed, Yupp TV (Streaming)
- MENA: beIN Sports, CricLife 1 via eLife (TV); StarzPlay, CricLife App, beIN CONNECT (Streaming)
- Worldwide: Matches also be available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Match Highlights
The toss at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala went in favour of Punjab Kings, who elected to field first on a surface expected to remain true but slightly assistive for stroke play under lights. The decision initially looked balanced, but the nature of RCB’s aggressive top order quickly shifted control away from the bowling side.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru began with intent despite losing Jacob Bethell early. The powerplay produced 61 runs with just one wicket down, as Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal settled into a fluent rhythm. Kohli’s timing through the off-side and Padikkal’s fearless acceleration ensured RCB never fell behind the asking tempo even at an early stage.
The early breakthrough by Harpreet Brar did not slow RCB’s momentum. Kohli anchored while Padikkal attacked, taking RCB past 50 in just over five overs. By the end of the powerplay, the batting side had already established a platform that allowed them to target a 200-plus total rather than simply consolidate.
The middle overs belonged to RCB’s structured acceleration phase. Padikkal’s dismissal at 97 brought a brief control phase for Punjab Kings, but the arrival of Venkatesh Iyer shifted the innings into a higher gear. Kohli reached his half-century off 31 balls, while Iyer matched the tempo with calculated aggression, ensuring the scoring rate never dipped below control.
Venkatesh Iyer emerged as the defining force in the innings. His unbeaten 73 off 40 balls blended timing with power, and his partnership phase with Kohli and later Tim David pushed RCB beyond 150 by the 14th over. The duo’s rotation and boundary hitting neutralised Punjab’s spin threat in the middle overs.
Kohli’s dismissal at 157 did not derail RCB’s momentum. Instead, Tim David provided late acceleration with a rapid 28 off 12 balls, striking at over 230 to ensure a strong finish. The final overs saw RCB consistently clear the boundary, reaching 200 in under 18 overs and eventually closing at a commanding 222/4.
Punjab Kings began their chase under pressure after RCB’s imposing total. The powerplay collapse proved decisive as they lost three early wickets inside the first four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck twice in a disciplined opening spell, immediately putting PBKS on the back foot and restricting scoring opportunities.
Despite early setbacks, Cooper Connolly and Suryansh Shedge attempted to rebuild with aggressive stroke play. However, RCB’s bowling rotation, particularly the impact of Romario Shepherd and Suyash Sharma in the middle overs, ensured Punjab never fully recovered the required run rate pressure that was steadily rising above control.
Marcus Stoinis provided a brief counterattack with a well-paced 37, supported later by Shashank Singh, who kept PBKS in the contest with explosive hitting. However, the mounting required rate forced risk-taking, and wickets at key intervals prevented any sustained partnership from forming.
The match-defining phase came when Rasikh Salam removed Shashank Singh and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession, breaking Punjab’s backbone just as they looked to accelerate. With the asking rate climbing steeply in the final overs, PBKS fell short despite a late flourish, finishing at 199/8.
Toss Winner
Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field first.
Key Moment
The turning point of the match came during Punjab Kings’ early collapse in the powerplay, where they lost three wickets inside the first four overs, immediately shifting control to RCB and forcing PBKS into constant recovery mode throughout the chase.
Star Performer / MVP
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 73 off 40 balls, which powered RCB to a massive total of 222/4 and set up the 23-run victory.
RCB vs PBKS Match Summary
Team | Score |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 222/4 (20 ov) |
Punjab Kings | 199/8 (20 ov) |
Result | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 23 runs |
Player of the Match | Venkatesh Iyer |
Highest Run-Getter of the Series | Sai Sudharsan 554 |
Highest Wicket-Taker of the Series | Bhuvneshwar Kumar 24 |
RCB vs PBKS Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh
FAQs – Yesterday’s RCB vs PBKS 61st (May 17, 2026)
Q1: What was the final score of yesterday’s RCB vs PBKS 61st IPL match?
A1: Yesterday (May 17, 2026), 61st Match
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (222/4) beat Punjab Kings (199/8) by 23 runs.
RCB were powered by Venkatesh Iyer’s 73*, while PBKS fought back with Shashank Singh’s 56.
Result: RCB strengthened their position at the top of the table.
Q2: Who was named the Player of the Match?
A2: Venkatesh Iyer was named the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 73 off 40 balls, which anchored RCB’s innings and pushed them to 222.
Q3: Where was the match played, and who won the toss?
A3: The match was played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field first.
Q4: Who were the top performers with the bat for both sides?
A4: For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Venkatesh Iyer top-scored with 73*, while Virat Kohli added 58. For Punjab Kings, Shashank Singh was the leading scorer with 56.