Royal Challengers Bengaluru Storm Into IPL 2026 Playoffs!

Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after registering a thrilling 23-run victory over Punjab Kings in Dharamshala. Brilliant half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer powered RCB to a massive total, while Rasikh Dar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball to seal the win.

Chasing a daunting target, Punjab Kings suffered early blows as Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh cheaply. Cooper Connolly scored 37 runs and Suryansh Shedge added 35, but regular wickets dented Punjab’s chase. Shashank Singh fought hard with a valiant 56, but his effort was not enough to prevent Punjab’s sixth consecutive defeat. Earlier, Virat Kohli scored 58, Devdutt Padikkal made 45, while Venkatesh Iyer remained unbeaten on 73. Tim David’s quickfire 28 further boosted RCB’s total.