61st match IPL 2026 They witnessed a high-profile clash at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Punjab Kings (PBKS) horns locked with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) May 17, 2026. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Kings were keen to take advantage of the early conditions but RCB’s explosive batting line-up had their own plans. He was a left-arm spinner as the Dharamsala tally rained boundaries Harpreet Brar injecting raw passion and much-needed breakthroughs into the PBKS camp during tense first innings.
Harpreet Brar sets the crowd on fire with his cartoons after bringing out Jacob Bethell and Devdutt Padikal.
In a game that was fast moving towards the batsmen, Brar emerged as Punjab’s best batsman, breaking crucial partnerships and celebrating with unbridled aggression. Brar first struck early in the 3rd over in the Powerplay. Bowling to the dangerous opener Jacob BethellBrar bowled a quicker, fuller delivery of 96.3 kmph that came back sharply. Bethell (11 off 7 balls), caught off guard and short of room when trying to cut, could only cut the ball to his own stumps. Brar began to cheer as his teammates pressed him.
RCB rebuilt fiercely but Brar came back in the 10th over to deliver a masterclass in clever spin bowling. Devdutt Padikkal looked deadly, batting at 180.00 but Brar outscored him on the first ball of his new spell. Pulling his length slightly back outside off at 95.7 kmph, the ball took a nice grip off the Dharamsala surface. Padikkal went straight to palms, closing his face very early on a cut shot Shreyas Iyer on the cover. 45 off 25 deliveries, just short of a half-century, Padikkal returned to Brar’s incredibly animated delivery.
We present the video:
It’s safe to say that Harpreet Brar is locked in today 🔒🔥
🎥 In the battle of the leftists x 2️⃣ wins
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/3u5qL0Zn75#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #PBKSvRCB | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/0eOEaNsngu
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 17, 2026
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RCB on track to put up a huge total against PBKS
Despite Brar’s timely scoring, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stayed firm on course to post a mammoth total, reaching 157/3 at the end of 15 overs. The foundation of this terrifying account was anchored by a magnificent half-century from the talisman Virat Kohli. Displaying clean timing, Kohli smashed 58 off 37 balls, laced with four boundaries and three big sixes, before finally misplacing the delivery. Yuzvendra Chahal for Priyansh Arya on the 15th.
RCB’s aggressive intent was clear from the start, crossing the 50-run mark in just 5.1 overs and maintaining a run rate of 10.46. After Kohli’s dismissal, Venkatesh Iyer Reaching an unbeaten 38 off just 22 balls at a strike rate of 172.72, he took over the mantle with ease. Punjab’s top bowlers came under immense pressure, Chahal conceding 42 runs in 3 overs and Loki Ferguson It goes for 12. Like a big score of 218 and power-hitters with live prediction Jitesh Sharma and Tim David still waiting in the dugout, RCB look well-equipped to completely knock Punjab Kings out of the race.
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