The high-altitude environment of Dharamsala witnessed an exciting match as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) upset Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 23 runs.
Despite the absence of regular skipper Rajat Patidar, the RCB batting unit demonstrated clinical accuracy and relentless pace. Batting first in an afternoon game, Virat Kohli (58) anchored the batting beautifully with a smooth fifty, providing a good platform. Devdutt Padikkal (45) provided early momentum with an impressive knock, but Venkatesh Iyer (73*) was the real game changer. Venkatesh went into overdrive, smashing a merciless, unbeaten fifty off 40 balls, expertly shredding both speed and spin. Tim David’s (28) devastating closing cameo propelled RCB to a towering 222/4, capitalising superbly on the thin mountain air and the ball’s long flight into the bleachers.
Chasing a massive target of 223, Punjab’s batting lineup crumbled catastrophically at the top. The team lost three wickets for only 19 runs during the powerplay, severely shattering their tactical plan and pushing them into a defensive shell. While Suryansh Shedge and Cooper Connolly provided short resistance, it was the explosive middle-order combo of Shashank Singh (56) and Marcus Stoinis (37) who gave the innings a true fight. Their 67-run partnership restored PBKS’s respectability, but the absence of assistance from the top-order meant the required run rate had already risen beyond control, resulting in a final score of 199/8.
Defending a big score, RCB’s bowling attack performed their preparations beautifully during the powerplay, virtually sealing the game in the first four overs. Veteran swing master Bhuvneshwar Kumar was lethal with the new ball, taking advantage of the early movement on offer to dismiss both Punjab openers in rapid succession. Pacer Rasikh Salam Dar then delivered the decisive blow by removing PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer for one, reducing the opposition to a woeful 19/3. While they lost some runs in the middle overs owing to a determined counterattack, Rasikh Salam (3/36) and Josh Hazlewood handled the death overs with poise, putting an end to any realistic hopes of a miraculous chase.
Punjab’s bowling was erratic, with weak lines and defensive fields on a flat Dharamsala wicket. Following their decision to bowl first, the bowlers were unable to extract any real help from the pitch. The death bowling was particularly dismal, as they were unable to restrict Venkatesh Iyer and Tim David, allowing a staggering 222 runs. This bad performance also meant that PBKS set an unfavourable T20 record, becoming the side to allow the most 200-plus totals (46 times) in T20 history.
With this strong win, RCB became the first team to secure a berth in the IPL 2026 playoffs, while PBKS suffered their sixth straight defeat.
Scorecard:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 222/4, Overs 20, Venkatesh Iyer 73*, Harpreet Brar 2/35
Punjab Kings: 199/8, Overs 20, Shashank Singh 56, Rasikh Salam Dar 3/36
