RCB Storm into IPL 2026 Playoffs After Thrilling 23-Run Win Over Punjab Kings in Dharamshala

Dharamshala, May 2026 : Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted a dominant all-round performance to become the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs, defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in a high-scoring and intense encounter at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday.

Defending a formidable total of 222/4, RCB’s bowling unit delivered under pressure, with impact substitute Rasikh Salam Dar emerging as the standout performer with three crucial wickets. Despite a brilliant counterattacking half-century from Shashank Singh, Punjab Kings were restricted to 199/8 in their chase. With this win, RCB moved to 18 points from 13 matches, sealing their place in the playoffs in emphatic fashion.

Punjab Kings’ Chase Falters Early

Chasing a mammoth target of 223, Punjab Kings suffered an early setback as Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck in the very first over, removing Priyansh Arya for a duck. The experienced pacer continued his impact in his next over, sending back Prabhsimran Singh for just 2, caught at first slip.

RCB tightened the screws further when Shreyas Iyer, leading Punjab in the match, fell cheaply for 1 to Rasikh Salam Dar. At 20/3, Punjab were in deep trouble inside the Power-play.

However, Cooper Connolly and Suryansh Shedge attempted a recovery. Shedge counterattacked Josh Hazlewood with aggressive strokes, while Connolly took on Rasikh to push the score to 49/3 after six overs.

Connolly looked dangerous before Romario Shepherd broke the partnership in the eighth over, with the batter departing for 37 off 22 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

Middle Overs Fightback and RCB Control

Shedge then partnered Marcus Stoinis as Punjab attempted to rebuild. The duo rotated strike well and found boundaries regularly. But RCB struck again when Virat Kohli pulled off a sharp catch at long-off to dismiss Shedge for 35 off 22 balls.

Stoinis and Shashank Singh kept Punjab alive with an aggressive stand. Shashank shifted momentum dramatically by smashing Suyash Sharma for three sixes in an over, keeping the chase within reach.

At 15 overs, Punjab were 146/5, needing 77 off 30 balls. The game was still open.

Shashank’s Brilliance in Vain

Shashank Singh continued his explosive knock, even executing a spectacular helicopter shot off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, Josh Hazlewood provided the crucial breakthrough in the 17th over by trapping Stoinis lbw for 37 off 25 deliveries.

Despite losing partners, Shashank reached a blistering half-century off just 22 balls and kept Punjab in contention. But the lack of support from the other end increased the pressure as the required rate climbed sharply.

RCB finally closed out the game in the final over. Rasikh Salam Dar removed Shashank, who was caught at long-on after a stunning 56 off 27 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. Rasikh then completed his three-wicket haul by striking again on the final delivery, sealing Punjab’s fate at 199/8.

RCB’s Explosive Batting Sets the Platform

Earlier, RCB posted a massive 222/4 after a commanding batting display led by Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli.

The innings started cautiously, with Kohli and Jacob Bethell managing only 17 runs in the first two overs. Bethell struggled for rhythm and was dismissed by Harpreet Brar for 11.

Devdutt Padikkal then injected momentum with a six off his first ball. He and Kohli stitched a vital 76-run stand, taking RCB to 61/1 in the Power-play.

Padikkal scored a quick 45 off 25 balls before falling to Brar. Kohli, meanwhile, continued his elegant strokeplay and brought up a fluent half-century off 31 balls before being dismissed for 58.

Venkatesh Iyer Finishes Strong

The final flourish came from Venkatesh Iyer, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 73 off 40 balls. After a slow start, he exploded in the death overs, hitting eight fours and four sixes. Tim David added a quick 28 off 12 balls as RCB crossed the 220-run mark.

Brief Scores

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 222/4 (20 overs) – Venkatesh Iyer 73*, Virat Kohli 58, Devdutt Padikkal 45; Harpreet Brar 2-35, Yuzvendra Chahal 1-42.

Punjab Kings 199/8 (20 overs) – Shashank Singh 56, Cooper Connolly 37, Suryansh Shedge 35; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-38.

RCB won by 23 runs.