In the blockbuster 52nd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a hard-fought two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
While bowling first, Bhuvneshwar Kumar created the groundwork for victory with a precise swing bowling performance. He quickly demolished the MI top order, ending with an impressive 4/23, including Rohit Sharma‘s prized scalp. Josh Hazlewood gave steady assistance, keeping the run rate under control, while Rasikh Salam Dar kept his nerve in the last overs. Despite a few mistakes on the pitch, the bowling unit’s ability to keep MI under 170 proved to be the difference on a night when every run was crucial.
Chasing 167, RCB appeared dead and buried at 39/3 after Virat Kohli scored a rare golden duck. Krunal Pandya delivered the “innings of a lifetime”, overcoming cramping to smash a spectacular 73 off 46 balls. His knock included four fours and five sixes. His counterattack moved the burden back against MI. When Krunal fell, the chase descended into pandemonium, but Bhuvneshwar startled the fans with a vital six over deep cover in the last over. With two needed off the final delivery, Rasikh Salam Dar dashed for a desperate second run after a straight drive ricocheted off the bowler, securing the victory with a brave dive.
Mumbai’s innings was a rollercoaster that ended at 166/7. After a difficult start in which the top order crumbled under pressure Tilak Varma (57) emerged as the lone warrior, anchoring the side with a controlled fifty off 42 deliveries. He had capable backup in Naman Dhir (47), who gave a spark of energy with a quickfire knock, but the rest of the lineup, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit, struggled to adjust to the two-paced Raipur surface. Despite a late surge, MI finished at least 15-20 runs shy of what seemed to be a par score.
MI’s bowlers nearly performed a miracle while defending a low score. Corbin Bosch stood out, bowling a masterpiece of pace and variation to end with 4/26, including a wicket-maiden that threatened to wreck RCB’s chase completely. Jasprit Bumrah was his usual clinical self, executing a notable 19th over in which he gave only three runs, leaving RCB needing 15 from the final six. However, in the last over, Raj Bawa was put under pressure; a costly no-ball and a succession of wides re-established RCB’s momentum, ending in a last-ball scramble that terminated MI’s season.
This win moves RCB to the top of the standings with 14 points, thus eliminating five-time champions MI from the 2026 playoff competition.
Scorecard:
Mumbai Indians: 166/7, Overs 20, Tilak Varma 57, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/23
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 167/8, Overs 20, Krunal Pandya 73, Corbin Bosch 4/26
