RCB Enter IPL 2026 Playoffs With 23-Run Win Over PBKS

Mangalore Today News Network

Dharamsala, May 17, 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after registering a 23-run victory over Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 223, PBKS faltered early after losing Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh cheaply to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Captain Shreyas Iyer also departed early as Punjab slipped into trouble.

Suryansh Shedge scored a quick 35 off 22 balls, while Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh attempted a recovery with aggressive batting. Shashank struck 42 as he and Stoinis added 67 runs, but the required rate proved too steep.

With 40 needed off the final two overs, Josh Hazlewood conceded only seven runs in the 19th over before Rasikh Salam Dar defended 33 in the last over and picked up two wickets to seal the win. The victory took RCB to 18 points and confirmed their playoff berth.

Earlier, RCB posted 222 for 4, powered by half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer. Kohli continued his consistent form to extend his IPL record of nine seasons with over 500 runs, while Venkatesh remained unbeaten on 73.

Devdutt Padikkal contributed 45 runs in a 76-run partnership with Kohli, while Tim David added a late cameo of 28 off 12 balls.

Harpreet Brar was the standout bowler for PBKS with figures of 2 for 35, while Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed one wicket each.

PBKS, meanwhile, suffered their sixth consecutive defeat and now face a must-win clash against the already eliminated Lucknow Super Giants to stay alive in the playoff race.