IPL 2026, PBKS vs RCB 61st Match Match Preview

IPL 2026, PBKS vs RCB 61st Match Match Preview


Big image: PBKS batters slipping barely

We’ve all heard about “speaking at the right time.” What Punjab Kings (PBKS) have inadvertently proven within the final 20 days is slipping on the flawed time. Table-toppers for chunk of IPL 2026PBKS have now slipped to fourth spot with 5 losses on the bounce. Their issues have been compounded for the reason that record chase towards Delhi Capitals (DC): their batters aren’t scoring as rapidly, their bowlers are leaking on the flawed time, their fielding has been forgettable and luck has additionally left their aspect, with the coin falling of their favor solely as soon as within the final 5 outings.

PBKS had been leaking runs within the first half of the event too, however their batting at all times made up for it. In the final 5 video games, although, their scoring charge, batting common, management share and attacking-shot share have all dropped off.

The first-ten-balls strike charge of their high seven of their six wins was a whopping 236.20, however within the final 5 matches, it has decreased to 191. This continues to be quantity. Other groups can be pleased with their new batters scoring 19 off ten. The actual drawback is what’s taking place to PBKS when their batters are set. Their high seven struck at 251.80 throughout balls 21 to 30 of their six wins. That determine has fallen off a cliff to 132.60 within the 5 losses.

If we examine the strike charges of particular person batters in the course of the six wins with their 5 losses, Prabhsimran Singh’s has fallen from 192.60 to 139.40, Shreyas Iyer’s has dipped from 186 to 128.60, Priyansh Arya’s has gone from 249 to 166.70 and Shashank Singh’s has slipped from 194.40 to 85.70. This re-match of the IPL 2025 remaining can’t have come at a worse time for PBKS.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), sitting fairly at No. 1, will affirm their place within the playoffs with a win. They arrive in Dharamsala on the again of back-to-back wins and can know that the bottom tends to favor the chasing workforce.

Form information

Punjab Kings LLLLL (final 5 accomplished video games, most up-to-date first)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WWLLW

Key questions

Team information: RCB nonetheless with out Salt

Whether it was pressured or tactical, PBKS introduced in Azmatullah Omarzai (38 off 17 and a pair of for 36) for Marcus Stoinis of their final recreation, and it labored out fairly properly. Shreyas Iyer has had bother discovering dependable seamers to again up his new-ball bowlers.

Punjab Kings (possible): 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Shashank Singh, 6 Suryansh Shedge, 7 Marcus Stoinis/Azmatullah Omarzai, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett/Ben Dwarshuis, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Vyshak Vijaykumar, 12 Yuzvendra Chahal

RCB opener Phil Salt continues to be not again in India since flying dwelling earlier this month to get his finger checked. That means his compatriot Jacob Bethell will proceed to open with Virat Kohli.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (possible): 1 Jacob Bethell, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Devdutt Padikkal, 4 Rajat Patidar (capt), 5 Tim David, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Venkatesh Iyer/Romario Shepherd, 8 Krunal Pandya, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jacob Duffy/Suyash Sharma, 11 Josh Hazlewood, 12 Rasikh Salam

In the highlight: Shreyas Iyer and Jitesh Sharma

Barring his unbeaten 59 towards DC earlier this week, Shreyas Iyer‘s type had been dipped within the second half of the IPL. His different scores this month learn 4, 5, 19, and 30. Sunday will pit him towards two bowlers who’ve had the very best of him beforehand within the IPL. Against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Iyer has a strike charge of 90 whereas getting out 3 times in 11 innings. Against Hazlewood, he has 4 dismissals in six innings and 11 runs off 22 balls. With the bottom slipping from beneath PBKS recreation after recreation, they’ll hope their chief helps them discover their ft.

Jitesh Sharma is having his worst IPL season since his debut in 2022, whether or not it is by way of runs, common or strike charge. For a batter who made his title and India T20I debut as a finisher, he has managed simply 90 runs off 76 balls to this point. He has received out to tempo eight occasions in ten innings to this point. Lack of the crowning glory from him is maybe the one weak spot RCB have had this season, however he has a few video games to show issues round earlier than the playoffs.

Pitch and circumstances: Chase to win

Dharamsala can be internet hosting its first day recreation of IPL 2026. And given all ten day video games previous to this one have been gained by the chasing aspect, there’s a likelihood the toss could have a task to play within the consequence. Sunday is predicted to be nice with temperatures hovering round 20 levels Celsius. The similar pitch because the match against DC can be used for this recreation.

Stats and trivia

  • Iyer can be captaining his a centesimal match within the IPL, with 41 of these coming for DC, and 29 every for KKR and PBKS. He has the joint-best win share as a captain within the IPL (min. 60 matches), degree with MS Dhoni at 58.3%.
  • PBKS have gained simply one among their final seven video games in Dharamsala.
  • PBKS have scored in addition to awarded eight 200-plus totals on this IPL, each joint-most in a single IPL version.
  • Virat Kohli has probably the most runs – 1159 – by any batter towards PBKS.
  • RCB have the very best scoring charge of 10.40 within the center overs (7 to 16) this IPL, intently adopted by PBKS’ 10.10. Rajat Patidar has probably the most sixes in that part, 28, with Iyer’s 21 being the second most.

Quotes

“Bethell has proven himself on the world stage, and in this format, he is a world-class player. It doesn’t matter which position he bats in. He is a mature player who adapts himself according to the situation and we have seen him perform.”
RCB assistant coach Omkar Salvi is backing Bethell in Salt’s absence

Vishal Dikshit is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

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