Match overview
IPL 2026 Match 61 is a high-voltage playoff-deciding clash as Punjab Kings host Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. RCB enter as clear favourites with 57% win probability against PBKS’s 43% — a match with massive playoff implications for both sides. PBKS are desperate to arrest their losing run while RCB look to consolidate their position in the top two. Understanding today toss and match prediction dynamics is crucial — this evening encounter will be heavily influenced by dew, and both captains are acutely aware of the venue’s characteristics. Access live pre-match odds at Fairplay24 before the coin is flipped.
Today toss prediction
Today toss and match prediction analysis puts the overall probability of a fielding-first decision at 65–70% regardless of who wins the flip. Evening dew at Mullanpur sets in from the 16th–17th over, making the ball slippery and strongly favouring the chasing team. RCB’s batting lineup anchored by Virat Kohli thrives in chase situations, and PBKS’s pace-heavy attack is most effective bowling on a fresh surface in the first innings. Lock in pre-toss odds now with a Fairplay24 login.
Pitch report & conditions
PBKS — team analysis
| Player | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Shikhar DhawanPBKS | LH Batsman | PBKS’s experienced opener and captain. Dhawan’s ability to build a solid powerplay foundation is critical whether PBKS bat or chase. His top-batsman market carries high value, particularly in batting-first scenarios where he can anchor the innings on a fresh pitch. |
| Arshdeep SinghPBKS | LH Fast-Medium | PBKS’s spearhead pacer and one of the best death-over bowlers in IPL 2026. Arshdeep’s ability to swing the ball in the powerplay and execute precise yorkers at the death makes him the standout bowling performance market pick in today toss and match prediction for this fixture. |
KKR’s captain is acutely aware of Eden Gardens’ dew conditions and the home crowd advantage. KKR have historically preferred chasing at their fortress — today toss and match prediction gives KKR 70% probability of fielding first if they win the toss, deploying Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine to restrict GT before their chase-specialist batting lineup attacks the target. Download the Fairplay24 app for live toss alerts and instant market updates.
RCB — team analysis
| Player | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman GillGT | RH Batsman | GT’s captain and the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Gill has accumulated over 474 runs at a strike rate exceeding 158, providing GT with an explosive foundation in every fixture. His top-batsman market is the most followed player bet in today toss and match prediction for this match. |
| Rashid KhanGT | RA Leg Spin | GT’s world-class leg-spinner and one of the most economical T20 bowlers in history. Rashid’s ability to take wickets in the middle overs and restrict run flow with his variations makes him the standout bowling performance pick when GT field first. His wicket market is always highly active on Fairplay24. |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in outstanding form in IPL 2026 — sitting in the top two with 14 points and the best NRR in the competition at +1.103. Powered by Virat Kohli’s magnificent batting and Josh Hazlewood’s pace in the powerplay, RCB are genuine title contenders. Today toss and match prediction gives RCB 70% probability of fielding first if they win the toss — trusting Hazlewood to exploit the fresh surface before Kohli’s batting lineup attacks in the dew-aided chase. Create your Fairplay24 ID to access live player markets the moment the toss is announced.
Toss scenarios & betting impact
Key numbers
Expert verdict
Smart betting tips
Ready to bet on PBKS vs RCB?
Live odds, toss markets & in-play betting — all on Fairplay24.
- 1Match winner — RCB (primary bet)At 57% implied probability, RCB offer strong value in the match-winner market — especially in fielding-first scenarios where Kohli’s chase brilliance and Hazlewood’s powerplay wickets come into their own. Place this bet on Fairplay24 for competitive pre-match odds.
- 2Dew tips the balance — field-first betToday toss and match prediction shows 65–70% probability of fielding-first. Betting “both teams score 155+” accounts for dew-aided second innings batting. CSK chasing at the death under Dhoni with dew is their most dangerous state.
- 3Virat Kohli top RCB batsmanIn any chasing scenario for RCB, Virat Kohli under lights on a dew-aided pitch is the standout top-batsman market pick. His record in successful IPL chases is exceptional — a consistent first-choice selection across all today toss and match prediction models on Fairplay24.
- 4Live bet — powerplay assessmentWait for the first six overs at Mullanpur. A batting team scoring 50+ without two wickets signals “over” total runs. Two early wickets means “under” is the value position. Use Fairplay24 login to jump into live markets the moment the powerplay ends.
