Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 61st Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryPBKS vs RCB, 61st Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary

RCB became the first team to make it to the playoffs, but nine more matches remain, and 3 more spots are up for grabs. The second match of the day has started with the Royals batting against the Capitals. Switch tabs and enjoy all the action. For now, cheers and bye...

Venkatesh Iyer | Player of the Match: (on receiving the award despite limited opportunities this season) Yeah, technically it’s my second game being part of the playing XI and today’s the first time I properly got to bat. So that’s the more pleasing thing than getting a Man of the Match. And also the two points, so really happy. (on joining RCB after spending time with KKR) They’ve welcomed me very well. Obviously, it’s a very professional setup and the cricket part of it, the management, it’s just unbelievable. All credit to Mo Bobat and DK, the way they have taken care of the boys, it’s just unbelievable. On top of that, the brand of cricket that RCB plays is something that excites me a lot. I’ve spent a lot of time at KKR, so yeah, there will be an emotional bond, but I’ve really felt at home here. (on waiting for opportunities in a strong batting lineup) I’d lie if I said that I was not frustrated or not wanting to play. I was really wanting to go out there and play because for players like us, it’s the opportunity to play in the IPL. We want to play, we want to do well. But I do understand, I’ve been here long enough to understand that this is a champion team and to tinker with the combination is not always right. But I always tried to create an impact on the coaching staff to make me play and I will deliver. I’m really happy that I got my opportunity. (on his innings after starting slowly) I think, yeah, it was scratchy at the beginning, but I was lucky to be batting alongside Virat Kohli. Obviously the mindset shift that he’s able to communicate to you. I think with all the legends of the game, one thing that stands out is the communication, that’s the key. If you’re able to communicate well with your partner because it’s two people out there scoring runs together for the team, so that was the key. (on taking time to settle in) Yeah, absolutely. I’ve been playing here, but I played after a long time this season. I actually needed those first few balls just to get into the groove. Once I understood the wicket and I had the freedom to go after the bowling, then I think it was good for me.

Jitesh Sharma | RCB stand-in skipper: (on whether the chase got tricky at any stage) No, I think we were all in control. In the batting and the bowling, we were in control. (on the mood in the team at the halfway stage with 222 on the board) We were not under pressure, frankly speaking. We were in control. We know what we want to do on this wicket because we batted on that and the batters had given very good feedback on what was working on that wicket. So we planned particularly for particular batsmen and we were executing that properly. (on his contribution as captain) No, it’s okay, it’s fine. It’s part of my job. Whatever my management has given, I have to do and give my hundred percent, that’s it. (on having experienced bowlers in the side while captaining and keeping wickets) We are privileged that they are playing for RCB and with that I got so many senior players to guide me in the centre when I’m doing captaincy to those bowlers. I think that’s great. It’s a great experience to play with those boys. (on captaining against RCB previously and now leading them) Yes, obviously. (on the next game and Rajat Patidar’s return) My actual skipper is doing really well. He’s going to captain next game. I think our RCB motto is very simple - one game at a time. That’s the thing. We are not thinking ahead or anything. We just want to play our best cricket in every match, that’s it.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: (on his rhythm and bowling performance) Look, I was in a good rhythm, of course. Getting wickets in previous matches always boosts your confidence. It’s one of the venues where the ball does something at the start and if you can make the most of it, it can be difficult for a team to chase it down or even if you’re bowling in the first innings, it gets difficult for a team to build a high score. (on practicing yorkers) I think it’s not about doing it before the match, but what I do throughout the year makes a difference. When you come to the IPL setup, you bowl to world-class batsmen and you nail them, so it gives you confidence that you can get it there as well. It’s not just about bowling right before the match or starting practice in the tournament, it’s about what you do throughout the year. (on bowling alongside Josh Hazlewood) It makes a big difference. The experience he has and the skill he has make a big difference for us. I think we’re complementing each other with the skills I have and he has, so it’s going well so far. But again, credit goes to Rasikh as well. I think he’s going under the radar, but the way he’s delivering under pressure in the powerplay, I think he’s doing well. (on qualifying for the playoffs) It feels good. I think that’s what you play for. If you can qualify in the first two, it’s of course a great thing. You can see the emotion because we have been working hard all these two months and when you qualify, it’s of course an emotional moment. Looking forward to the next matches as well.

Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings skipper: (on where the game started to unravel) Obviously, they got off to a great start and then started taking on the bowlers right after the powerplay. I think getting to 222 was a commendable performance and we weren’t able to take wickets in the bowling that much, but yeah, I think the match was lost in the powerplay. (on the difficult chase after losing early wickets) Absolutely. We were three down and the majority of our run scorers were Prabhsimran and Priyansh. The starts they used to give us in the powerplay, obviously we couldn’t get this time and also me coming in and getting out early. Really disappointed, but commendable performance by Shashank and Stoinis and also a few others in the middle. I think we were up there with almost 10 an over, but yeah, fell short. Tremendous bowling by Bhuvi and Hazlewood. (on staying positive ahead of the next game against Lucknow) No, definitely. I’m always positive irrespective of the results. It doesn’t dictate how my personality is and I always approach with a strong attitude. I’m not someone who dwells too much in the past. This is over, this is gone. Tomorrow again I’m going to see the sunrise and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Longest losing streaks for PBKS in the IPL
7 in 2015
6* in 2026
5 in 2011
5 in 2018
5 in 2020

RCB have now won seven of the eight matches against PBKS since 2023.

PBKS at Dharamsala
Overall: 17 matches, 6 wins, 11 defeats
Since 2023: 8 matches, 1 win, 7 defeats

19:21 Local Time, 13:51 GMT, 19:21 IST: 6th loss on a trot for the Punjab Kings and their season has gone into a tailspin now. This is good news for teams like CSK, KKR, RR and probably even DC as the race for the playoffs heats up. A convincing bowling performance from Bengaluru and they always looked in complete control. PBKS needed a strong start from their top-order to complete a record chase, but they lost those batters quickly. Priyansh lobbed a catch to mid-on, Prabhsimran was caught at first slip and Shreyas Iyer nicked one off to the keeper. There was no coming back from there; Cooper Connolly fought for a bit, but at 93 for 5, they looked doomed. Shashank Singh played a lovely hand, was involved in a 67-run stand with Marcus Stoinis, but they were up against the odds and their efforts only ensured that the margin of loss wasn't a heavy one. Bhuvneshwar rocked the top-order while Rasikh took 3 wickets as well. As things stand, they remain on 13 points and they no longer control their own fate. They not only need to win their last game, but they also need a few other results to go their way. Presentations are coming up shortly..

Rasikh Salam Dar to Azmatullah Omarzai, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Rasikh Salam Dar to Shashank Singh, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

33 needed off the last over. This match is won unless Rasikh bowls a terrible over