The 61st match of IPL 2026 witnessed a high-stakes clash at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) locked horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 17, 2026. Opting to field first after winning the toss, the Kings were eager to exploit early conditions, but RCB’s explosive batting lineup had layout plans of their own. As boundaries rained down in the altitude of Dharamsala, it was left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar who injected raw passion and much-needed breakthroughs back into the PBKS camp during an intense first innings.
Harpreet Brar fires up the crowd with animated send-offs after removing Jacob Bethell and Devdutt Padikal
In a game rapidly tilting toward the batsmen, Brar emerged as Punjab’s ultimate fighter, breaking crucial partnerships and celebrating with unbridled aggression. Brar first struck early in the Powerplay during the 3rd over. Bowling to dangerous opener Jacob Bethell, Brar fired a quicker, fuller delivery at 96.3 kph that spun back sharply. Caught off-guard and cramped for room while attempting a cut, Bethell (11 off 7 balls) could only chop the ball back onto his own stumps. Brar erupted in celebration, completely pumped up as his teammates swarmed him.
RCB rebuilt fiercely, but Brar returned in the 10th over to deliver a masterclass in smart spin bowling. Devdutt Padikkal was looking lethal, striking at 180.00, but Brar outsmarted him on the first ball of his new spell. Dragging his length back slightly outside off at 95.7 kph, the ball gripped beautifully off the Dharamsala surface. Padikkal closed his face too early on a cut shot, bunting it directly into the palms of Shreyas Iyer at cover. Falling just short of a half-century on 45 off 25 deliveries, Padikkal walked back to an incredibly animated send-off from Brar, who roared and fired up the vocal Dharamsala crowd, finishing his excellent spell with figures of 2/35.
Here’s the video:
Safe to say, Harpreet Brar is locked in today 🔒🔥
🎥 He wins the battle of the lefties x 2️⃣
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/3u5qL0Zn75#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #PBKSvRCB | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/0eOEaNsngu
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 17, 2026
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RCB on path to put up a huge total against PBKS
Despite the timely wickets from Brar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru remained firmly on course to post a mammoth total, coasting to 157/3 at the end of 15 overs. The foundation of this daunting score was anchored by a sublime half-century from talisman Virat Kohli. Showcasing pristine timing, Kohli smashed 58 off 37 balls, laced with four boundaries and three massive sixes, before finally miscuing a delivery off Yuzvendra Chahal to Priyansh Arya in the 15th over.
RCB’s aggressive intent was clear from the start, breaching the 50-run mark in just 5.1 overs and maintaining a blistering current run rate of 10.46. Following Kohli’s dismissal, Venkatesh Iyer took over the mantle seamlessly, racing to an unbeaten 38 off just 22 balls at a strike rate of 172.72. Punjab’s premier bowlers found themselves under immense pressure, with Chahal conceding 42 runs in his 3 overs and Lockie Ferguson going for 12 an over. With a live forecast projecting a massive score of 218 and power-hitters like Jitesh Sharma and Tim David still waiting in the dugout, RCB looks well-equipped to completely bat Punjab Kings out of the contest.
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