IPL 2026: RCB Become First Team To Reach Playoffs After Beating Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to secure a place in the playoffs of the Indian Premier League 2026 after defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in a high-scoring match at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday.

RCB successfully defended a strong total of 222/4 by producing a controlled bowling display led by Rasikh Salam Dar, who claimed three wickets.

Punjab Kings ended on 199/8 despite a determined half-century from Shashank Singh. The win lifted RCB to 18 points from 13 matches and ensured their progression to the next stage.

Punjab Kings began their chase poorly as Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Priyansh Arya for zero in the first over. He struck again shortly afterwards when Prabhsimran Singh edged to the slips after scoring just two runs.

RCB increased the pressure when Rasikh Salam Dar removed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for a single.

After the early setbacks, Cooper Connolly counterattacked alongside Suryansh Shedge to rebuild the innings. Their positive approach helped Punjab Kings reach 49/3 by the end of the Power play.

Connolly continued his aggressive play before Romario Shepherd dismissed him for 37. Shedge then added useful runs with Marcus Stoinis before Virat Kohli completed a sharp catch to end Shedge’s innings at 35.

Punjab Kings remained in the contest with Stoinis and Shashank Singh at the crease. Shashank accelerated the scoring rate with multiple sixes and reached his half-century quickly.

Josh Hazlewood dismissed Stoinis for 37, which slowed the chase. Although Shashank continued to attack, the required run rate increased steadily.

RCB secured victory in the final over when Rasikh dismissed Shashank for 56 and claimed another wicket, restricting Punjab Kings to 199/8.

Earlier, RCB posted 222/4, supported by an unbeaten 73 from Venkatesh Iyer and 58 from Virat Kohli. Devdutt Padikkal also contributed 45 runs at a brisk pace.

RCB started cautiously before building momentum through a strong partnership between Kohli and Padikkal. Kohli completed his half-century in 31 deliveries before being dismissed for 58.

Venkatesh Iyer accelerated in the final overs and remained not out. Tim David also added a quick 28 runs. Their late hitting took the total beyond 220.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 222/4 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 73*, Virat Kohli 58, Devdutt Padikkal 45) and defeated Punjab Kings, who managed 199/8 in 20 overs (Shashank Singh 56, Cooper Connolly 37, Suryansh Shedge 35), by 23 runs.

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