RCB's Playoff Ticket Stamped: Kohli and Co. Crush Punjab Kings by 23 Runs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name into the IPL 2026 playoffs with a dominant all-round performance at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium , Mohali, on Sunday, dismantling Punjab Kings by 23 runs to become the first team to officially seal a postseason berth this season.

Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the decision backfired spectacularly. RCB’s batting lineup tore into the Punjab bowling attack from the outset. Virat Kohli set the platform with a measured 58 off 37 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal chipped in with 45. The innings truly caught fire through Venkatesh Iyer , who hammered a breathtaking 73 off 40 balls, laced with four fours and four sixes, shifting momentum in the middle overs. Tim David provided the finishing touch, smashing 28 off 12 balls to take RCB to an imposing 222/4 . Harpreet Brar picked up two wickets for Punjab, but Lockie Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal were taken apart on a flat surface.

Chasing 223, Punjab Kings’ innings collapsed early as Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed both Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh cheaply, leaving them at 19/3. Shreyas Iyer fell soon after. Despite resistance from Cooper Connolly , Marcus Stoinis , and a late surge from Shashank Singh (56 off 27), the target stayed out of reach. Rasikh Salam Dar starred with three wickets as Punjab were bowled out for 199/8 .

With 18 points and a confirmed playoff spot , the defending champions sent a strong message, RCB are firmly in control heading into the business end of the season.