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 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) return to the MA Chidambaram Stadium to face the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 18 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, April 11.

CSK desperately need a win to kickstart their 2026 campaign. The five-time champions are rock bottom in the points table, having lost all three of their games this season. Their most recent loss came against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they fell 43 runs short while chasing 251.

DC, on the other hand, come into the game on the back of their maiden loss in the 2026 IPL, suffering a narrow one-run defeat to the Gujarat Titans. The team from the capital city failed to chase 13 runs off the last over despite the equation falling to two runs needed off two balls.

Both CSK and DC have experienced T20 players in their ranks. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side has an excellent batting lineup, which hasn’t yet fired in the IPL so far this season. They would be up against a DC bowling unit that has been impressive in the opening three matches of the new campaign.

DC’s batters, meanwhile, would be up against CSK’s bowling, which has been underwhelming this season. The likes of KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka and Sameer Rizvi have all been in great nick with the bat.

Here are 3 player battles for CSK vs DC, Match 18 of IPL 2026:

3. KL Rahul vs Khaleel Ahmed

There have been instances in the past where KL Rahul has struggled against left-arm pacers. The India wicketkeeper will have to face his struggles when he faces Khaleel Ahmed in the opening stages of the innings. 

The duo have faced one another in seven separate innings in the IPL, with the right-handed batter scoring 51 runs at a strike-rate of 130.76. Khaleel, on the other hand, has dismissed Rahul just once in his tournament career.

2. Shivam Dube vs Kuldeep Yadav

This face-off has not happened too regularly in the IPL, but could take centre stage in the middle overs during the game on Saturday. Shivam Dube tends to target the spinners even when the field is spread out. 

Kuldeep Yadav has bowled just seven balls to Dube, with the left-handed batter scoring five runs from it. The spinner has taken three wickets so far this season, whilst going at an economy rate of 9.45, the highest in his IPL career.

1. Sanju Samson vs Axar Patel

DC captain Axar Patel often tends to bring himself into the attack in the powerplay to trouble the fast-scoring opening batters. Sanju Samson, however, has not had a great start to his CSK stint, scoring just 22 runs off three innings.

Axar would be looking to exploit Samson’s form and get the better of his India teammate. The right-handed batter has not been allowed to score freely against Axar, hitting 70 runs from 12 innings at a strike-rate of just 111.11. The spin-bowling all-rounder has dismissed Samson twice in the IPL.