Punjab vs Bengaluru, Live Score, Match 61, Indian Premier League, 2026

Date: May 17, 2026

Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

https://www.india.com/cricket/series/ipl-2026-210537/live-score-match-61/punjab-vs-royal-challengers-bengaluru/summary/270332/

Last 4 OVERS

COMMENTARY

FILTER :All Wickets Fours Sixes Half Century

Royal beat Punjab by 23 runs | Punjab Vs Bengaluru Live Score, Match 61

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Venkatesh Iyer gets the award for his stunning, unbeaten knock of 73 runs from 40 balls. Iyer says that, technically, this was only his second game for RCB, but the first time he got a proper opportunity with the bat, which made the performance and the two points even more pleasing. He adds that RCB welcomed him really well and credits Mo Bobat, Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik for creating a highly professional setup. According to him, the brand of cricket RCB play is something that excites him a lot. Iyer admits that, while he still shares an emotional bond with KKR, having played for them previously, he already feels at home at RCB. He also says that he would be lying if he claimed he was not frustrated at not getting opportunities earlier, but understood that this is a champion side and changing a winning combination is never easy. At the same time, he says he always tried to make it clear to the coaching staff that he was eager to play and capable of making an impact. Speaking about his innings, Iyer says it was a scratchy start, but batting alongside Virat Kohli helped immensely. He praises Kohli’s ability to communicate and says that is one quality common among all the greats of the game. Having not batted for a while, he needed a few deliveries to get into rhythm, but once he understood the nature of the wicket and got the freedom to take on the bowling, things started to fall into place.

A quick chat with the Purple Cap holder - Bhuvneshwar Kumar says that he was in a good rhythm and just continued with the momentum from the previous games. On practicing the yorker, Bhuvneshwar says it is not about what he does before the match but what he works on throughout the year that makes the difference. He adds that bowling to world-class opponents and getting it right gives you confidence. On bowling alongside Hazlewood, he says the experience and skill Hazlewood brings make a big difference and that the two are complementing each other well. He is quick to give credit to Rasikh as well, saying he is going under the radar but doing a fine job. About them qualifying for the playoffs, he says it feels great and that the first aim was always to make the playoffs, with a top-two finish being the target. He says you can see how much it means to the group, having worked very hard over the last two months.

The skipper of the Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer says that RCB got off to a great start by taking on their bowlers right after the Powerplay. Says it was a commendable performance by them to get to 222 and also admits that they couldn't pick wickets regularly in the middle phase. Feels that the game was lost in the Powerplay itself while chasing, as they were three down in that phase and highlights that the majority of their run scorers were out early. He adds that his own early dismissal was something he is really disappointed about. He credits Shashank and Stoinis and a few others in the middle for a commendable effort, saying they were nearly at ten an over at one point, but fell short against some tremendous bowling from Bhuvi and Hazlewood. On taking positives into their final league game, he says he is always positive regardless of results and that results do not dictate who he is as a person. He says he always approaches things with a positive attitude, does not dwell too much on the past, and that this game is done and gone. He adds that tomorrow, he will see the sun rise again, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Match details

Toss: Toss won by Punjab Kings

Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (SA) and KN Ananthapadmanabhan (IND)

TV umpire: Parashar Joshi (IND)

Match referee: Pankaj Dharmani (IND)