IPL 2026: Ruthless RCB storm into playoffs as Punjab Kings slump to sixth straight defeat

RCB players celebrate after PBKS wicket. (Photo credit: IPL)

DHARAMSALA: It is often advised to save your breath at higher altitudes where the air is thinner. But that’s not the case when you have an ultra-motivated and hyper-energetic Virat Kohli pushing your team to greater heights. In the mountains of Dharamsala on Sunday afternoon, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the play-offs with a clinical 23-run victory, leaving the Punjab Kings gasping to stay alive in the IPL. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Kohli, forever in pursuit of perfection, set the tone for his team, which was without its regular captain Rajat Patidar due to injury. Kohli’s energy can be contagious to his teammates and the overwhelming presence can take a toll on the opposition. The scenario played out exactly as Kohli wanted. His 58 off 37 may not seem like an exceptional performance on paper. Still, the knock was the cornerstone for Devdutt Padikkal’s 25-ball 45 and Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 73 off 40 balls as RCB posted 222/4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept the momentum going with another nifty spell with the new ball to expose the technical shortcomings of the modern T20 opener. By dismissing the lethal opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh in the first three overs of the chase, Bhuvneshwar tied the lead in the chase for Punjab Kings. Soon, captain Shreyas Iyer’s defensive technique was exposed by Rasikh Salam Dar’s fine outswinger and the chase was spinning at 19/3 in the fourth over. Kohli never let the pace drop during his stay at the crease and animatedly encouraged his batting partners. The punches were stronger. The frequent looks in the pitchers’ eyes were intimidating. Sledging Kings top bowler Harpreet Brar was an exemplary minder. And then a run around the pitch coupled with a rocket from the outfield, with Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis briefly threatening to script a remarkable comeback, sent a clear message to his team and opponents – there must be no rest on this day. Kohli and RCB emerged with one clear objective – to become the first team to seal a last-four berth in the competition. That’s what championship teams do. They play to dominate. Iyer’s Punjab Kings didn’t exactly do that when they looked invincible halfway through the tournament. It’s also remarkable how a campaign that looked like a walk in the park for the Kings has suddenly become a drag in the mud. The numbers game is in for Punjab Kings with one game remaining after six consecutive defeats. At the end of RCB’s innings, the Punjab Kings fielders looked like dead flies as the ball traveled over the boundary with very little resistance. In 40 matches, RCB have shown how they have only grown as defending champions. The big names stepped up and let the younger guys fly. Iyer and Padikkal only seemed to chip sixes as Kohli kept one end tight. Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood produced exceptional turns just when Punjab Kings thought they had found some momentum thanks to Shashank’s 27-ball 56-run onslaught to leave young Rasikh 33 runs to defend in the final over.