Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamshala on Sunday.
RCB posted a massive 222/4, powered by unbeaten knocks from Venkatesh Iyer (73*) and Virat Kohli (58), while Devdutt Padikkal added a quick 45. In reply, Punjab Kings were reduced to 13/3 early before Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge and Shashank Singh fought back. Shashank smashed 56 off 27 balls, but RCB’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs. Rasikh Salam Dar starred with figures of 3/36, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets.
The win lifted RCB to 18 points from 13 matches and confirmed their playoff berth.