Dharamshala Weather Report: Will rain play spoilsport in the PBKS vs RCB clash at HPCA Stadium?

By Sandy Verma On May 16, 2026

Above the sharp peaks of the Dhauladhar, the wind bites before IPL 2026 Match 61 begins. Hope once warmed Punjab Kings, yet lately frost follows them instead. Five straight losses drained energy, dragging them to fourth spot, twelve games, thirteen points. What looked like progress now feels fragile, hanging by a thread in mountain air.

Their last stand at home, not just another match but a quiet fight to stay alive. Fall again beneath these trees, among tall cedars, then dreams of playoffs dissolve into silence.

High up among the peaks come the last season’s winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, moving fast after recent wins. Two straight triumphs pushed RCB to 16 points, now sitting at the top, so close to locking in the playoffs.

Their batsmen pack serious power, led by the steady presence of Virat Kohli; under Rajat Patidar, they aim higher still. Before, matches between these sides burned hot each time. Yet here, where every breath feels lighter, old stats mean nearly nothing.

PBKS vs RCB Weather Report

High above, tucked into Dharamshala’s rocky hold, summer feels like a story someone forgot to finish. This match kicks off under skies that promise just 21°C, crisp air wrapping the players as they step onto the grass. Down below, the flatlands bake, trapped beneath waves of relentless sun, while here, breathing comes easier.

Even so, conditions up there never stay settled for long. Moisture clings to the valley floor, keeping humidity near 68%. Though skies may fill with clouds by midday, a downpour might still burst through without warning.

Around kickoff, about one in five chances points toward rain. Crews watching below won’t relax; any wandering patch of mountain fog could pause play, wetting the grass just enough to make every step uncertain.

Also Read: “Bowling had an off-day”: Ruturaj Gaikwad reacts after CSK’s crushing loss to LSG

PBKS vs RCB Pitch Report for Match 61

On May 17, the match kicks off at 3:30 PM IST at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Games here tend to stay close, neither team gaining clear dominance early on. The typical score after the first turn hovers near 135, a modest climb compared to the second half’s usual output by about eight runs.

Most of the time, the one who calls right at the start chooses to send the opponent in. Eleven games here so far, seven won by those setting a target.

Still, given how well Punjab Kings have done going after runs, four times now, alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s six successful pursuits this term, putting runs on board might not be the go. Bowling first feels like the move either team would lean toward if they get the chance.

That day in May, sunlight cuts across the green field where players step onto the pitch by 3:30. Instead of night games under lights, this match unfolds while shadows still stretch short on the grass. Without damp air settling later, captains must rethink how they handle spinners early. The usual tricks won’t work when the ground stays dry through play.

Batters craving real speed and lift will feel right at home on the Dharamshala strip. Over recent games, sides have pushed past 200 without strain. Timing well means big shots flow, resistance fades fast when confidence builds.

Later today, brief chances may favor quick bowlers under shifting skies. Because the ground sits higher above sea level, thinner air slows the ball less. That helps white cricket balls dart and veer more during flight. Bowlers such as Arshdeep Singh plus Bhuvneshwar Kumar could target those sharp moments first, chasing thin edges until the surface calms down for hitters.

Spinners face something unusual. Not much happens off the pitch – no big cracks, no sharp turns, so they must mix up their flight, using the high air to get extra lift. Because the ball jumps higher than normal, timing gets tricky for batters.

Square edges are tight, just about 77 meters out, so even clumsy swings might find the fence. If a team fails to reach 190 early on, they often look uneasy once back in the field.