Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 23 runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, on Sunday (May 17). Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer hit half-centuries in the first innings to help the visitors score 222/4 in the first 20 overs, which they comfortably defended, thanks to an all-round bowling effort.
Kohli (58), Iyer (73*) and Devdutt Padikkal (45) produced impactful knocks as RCB piled up 222 for 4 in 20 overs. Bhuvneshwar (2/38) then removed the dangerous Punjab Kings opening pair of Priyansh Arya (0) and Prabhsimran Singh (2) early to all but shut the door on the opposition, who eventually managed 199 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Pacer Rasikh Salam (3/36) compounded Punjab Kings’ misery by dismissing skipper Shreyas Iyer (1) in the fourth over as the hosts slumped to 19 for 3.
