Punjab Kings (PBKS) square off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 17.

This will be the first encounter between the two sides in IPL 2026, and it promises to be a thrilling one with lots at stake for both the sides. 

Punjab Kings, despite their strong start to the season, enter this contest under immense pressure after losing five consecutive matches. A win is much needed for them to keep their playoff hopes alive. RCB, on the other hand, just need a win to qualify. 

Here are the key player battles in PBKS vs RCB, Match 61 of IPL 2026:

3. Shreyas Iyer vs Krunal Pandya

The Punjab captain will go up against RCB’s spinner Krunal Pandya in this crucial middle-overs face-off. Iyer is the one who holds the PBKS’ innings together with his calm presence. He has scored 396 runs in 11 innings. 

Krunal, on the other hand, is one of RCB’s mainstays in the middle-overs with the ball. He gives them a good option to restrict the flow of runs. He also has picked up 10 wickets so far. 

2. Arshdeep Singh vs Virat Kohli  

The left-arm pacer from Punjab can cause trouble for Virat Kohli with his inswinging deliveries with the new ball despite not being in such a great form. Kohli, on the other hand, is once again carrying RCB’s batting on his back, scoring in almost every match. He is coming off after a stellar century against KKR, and would be in great confidence.

Arshdeep, too, is slowly gaining his confidence back after a shaky start to the season. This powerplay battle will be crucial in the context of the match.  

1. Priyansh Arya vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

This powerplay battle between two in-form players promises to be a match defining one. Priyansh Arya has been terrific for PBKS, especially in the powerplay overs, where he just changes the complexion of the game with ease, scoring runs at a brisk rate. He has scored 364 runs at a stunning strike rate of 216.66.

But he will face an incredibly hard challenge against Bhuvneshwar, who has been in sensational form with the ball for RCB. The current Purple Cap holder can pose a great challenge in front of the youngster.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will host the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 60 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 16. 

The Knight Riders faced a heavy defeat against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their last game, and will enter this encounter under immense pressure. If they lose, they will get eliminated from the competition. 

GT, on the other hand, are an in-form side, having won five of their last five matches. So, with things at stake for both the sides, this promises to be a cracking encounter. 

Here are the top player battles from KKR vs GT, Match 60:

3) Cameron Green vs Rashid Khan

The most expensive overseas player in IPL history, Cameron Green, will go up against one of IPL’s greatest players, Rashid Khan, in this intriguing faceoff. Green will come in at number 4 for KKR, and this is the exact phase when Rashid operates for GT with the ball in hand.

The Afghan spinner is finally delivering with the ball after a few quiet seasons for GT. He has picked up 16 wickets so far, and can pose a great challenge against Green. The Aussie, on the other hand, has scored 264 runs. 

2) Sunil Narine vs Shubman Gill

Sunil Narine still is KKR’s most valuable player, especially with the ball. The veteran spinner has been sensational with the ball this season, picking up 11 with an economy rate of 6.64. He can choke the opposition’s batting line-up with his tight bowling in the middle overs.

But if there is anyone in the GT line-up that can handle Narine, it is their captain Shubman Gill. The right-hander has been their most important batter, scoring valuable runs at the top. Overall, this battle will be a sight to watch. 

1) Finn Allen vs Kagiso Rabada

This powerplay battle between Finn Allen and Kagiso Rabada promises fireworks. Finn Allen is one of the league’s most destructive batters going around. He can tear apart any bowling line-up on his day, and on flat Eden wickets, he might become even more deadly.

But facing Kagiso Rabada will be a tough challenge. The South African pacer is having a dream season and has been sensational with the new ball. He has picked up 21 wickets so far, and would want to add Allen in this list.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) play host to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 32 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, April 22.

Both sides come into the game on the back of multiple defeats. LSG have lost three games on the bounce since their last-ball victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders. Rishabh Pant’s side’s most recent loss came against the Punjab Kings, where they lost by 54 runs. 

RR, on the other hand, have suffered back-to-back defeats following four wins from their opening four matches. They most recently suffered defeat at the hands of a winless KKR side at the Eden Gardens.

The game on Wednesday will once again see RR’s explosive batting lineup face off against an experienced bowling unit. LSG have the likes of Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav and Digvesh Rathi, who are all capable of troubling the opposition batting.

The hosts’ star-studded batting lineup is currently not in the best of form, but is only an innings or two away from finding its feet. RR’s bowling will be a huge challenge for them, particularly in the powerplay.

Here are 3 player battles for LSG vs RR, Match 32 of IPL 2026:

3. Mitchell Marsh vs Jofra Archer

The Ashes rivalry will continue between the Australian and English duo of Mitchell Marsh and Jofra Archer during the opening stages of the innings. The pair have faced off against one another just once in the IPL, where Archer got the better of the right-handed batter from just two balls bowled. 

That happened in the game between LSG and RR last year in Jaipur, where the visitors secured a narrow two-run victory.

2. Rishabh Pant vs Ravi Bishnoi

Rishabh Pant has had an up-and-down IPL season so far and could face off against an in-form Bishnoi, with the spinner being the first change bowler for RR.

Bishnoi has a good track record against the left-handed batter. In a total of seven innings played against one another, Pant has scored just 61 runs at a strike-rate of 112.96 whilst being dismissed twice.

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Mohammed Shami

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Mohammed Shami have never faced off against each other in their professional careers, but are bound to meet in the game on Wednesday. The 15-year-old batter has taken the IPL by storm and has not shied away from playing his natural game regardless of the bowler he is facing. 

Sooryavanshi got the better of Jasprit Bumrah, scoring two sixes in one over against the great MI bowler, making his contest against Shami a mouthwatering prospect for the fans.