PBKS vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru storm into playoffs, beat Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamsala

Punjab Kings’ alarming slide from early-season dominance to a full-blown late collapse deepened in the ongoing IPL 2026 on Sunday, as a heavy defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru marked their sixth straight loss and left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

A side that once looked unstoppable — going unbeaten in seven games with six wins and a no result in the first half of the season — has now hit a major stumbling block at the worst possible time. With momentum gone and confidence visibly shaken, Punjab Kings are now not just fighting for wins, but also relying on other results to stay alive in the playoff race.

It is often advised to conserve your breath at higher altitudes where the air gets thinner. But it doesn’t apply when you have an ultra-motivated and hyper-energetic Virat Kohli egging your team to scale greater heights. In the mountains of Dharamsala on Sunday afternoon, Royal Challengers Bengaluru soared into the playoffs with a clinical 23-run win, leaving the Punjab Kings gasping for breath to stay alive in the IPL.

Kohli, forever in pursuit of excellence, set the tone for his team which didn’t have its regular captain Rajat Patidar due to injury. Kohli’s energy can be infectious for his teammates and overwhelming presence can weigh the opposition down mentally. The script played out just like Kohli wanted. His 58 off 37 may not come across as the standout performance on paper. Yet, that knock was the bedrock for Devdutt Padikkal’s 25-ball 45 and Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 73 off 40 balls as RCB posted 222/4.

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer on the loss

Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings skipper: "(on where the game started to unravel) Obviously, they got off to a great start and then started taking on the bowlers right after the powerplay. I think getting to 222 was a commendable performance and we weren’t able to take wickets in the bowling that much, but yeah, I think the match was lost in the powerplay. (on the difficult chase after losing early wickets) Absolutely. We were three down and the majority of our run scorers were Prabhsimran and Priyansh. The starts they used to give us in the powerplay, obviously we couldn’t get this time and also me coming in and getting out early. Really disappointed, but commendable performance by Shashank and Stoinis and also a few others in the middle. I think we were up there with almost 10 an over, but yeah, fell short. Tremendous bowling by Bhuvi and Hazlewood. (on staying positive ahead of the next game against Lucknow) No, definitely. I’m always positive irrespective of the results. It doesn’t dictate how my personality is and I always approach with a strong attitude. I’m not someone who dwells too much in the past. This is over, this is gone. Tomorrow again I’m going to see the sunrise and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel."

IPL Live: STATS after the match

Longest losing streaks for PBKS in the IPL

7 in 2015
6* in 2026
5 in 2011
5 in 2018
5 in 2020

* RCB have now won seven of the eight matches against PBKS since 2023.

PBKS at Dharamsala

Overall: 17 matches, 6 wins, 11 defeats
Since 2023: 8 matches, 1 win, 7 defeats

IPL Live Score: It's all over! RCB beat PBKS by 23 runs

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs with this win. Punjab Kings suffered their sixth defeat in a row in the season.

The result also opens up the playoff race, offering a boost to sides like Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and potentially Delhi Capitals as the battle for qualification intensifies.

It was a dominant all-round performance from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who were in control from the outset and never allowed PBKS to settle into the chase. Punjab needed a strong start to chase down a record target, but instead their top order collapsed early. Priyansh Arya was caught at mid-on, Prabhsimran Singh edged to first slip, and skipper Shreyas Iyer nicked one behind — leaving them in early disarray.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar did the early damage with the ball, while Rasikh Salam Dar chipped in with a three-wicket burst to tighten RCB’s grip. At 93/5, the chase was all but over despite a brief fightback.

Shashank Singh produced a valiant effort and shared a 67-run stand with Marcus Stoinis, but the task was always steep against a disciplined bowling attack. Their resistance ensured the defeat margin was respectable, rather than heavy.

PBKS remain stuck on 13 points and now no longer control their own playoff destiny. They must win their final match and rely on several other results going their way if they are to stay alive in the competition.​

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Shashank falls for 56

It's almost over now. Rasikh Dar dismisses 'dangerous' Shashank Singh (56)

Rasikh Salam Dar delivers at the death as Shashank Singh falls after a brilliant knock. It was a full delivery aimed at the stumps, appearing to be a slower ball that denied Shashank the room for his trademark helicopter shot. He still went through with it, but couldn’t find the middle of the bat and ended up slicing a simple catch to Virat Kohli at long-on.

A crucial breakthrough for Royal Challengers Bengaluru right at the death.

Shashank Singh scored 56 off 27 balls - [4s-4, 6s-4]

PBKS 194/7 in 19.3 overs | Target 223

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: Punjab need 33 off 6 balls

Excellent over from Josh Hazlewood at the death, conceding just seven runs in the penultimate over of the chase. Jacob Bethell also saved a certain boundary on the final delivery, keeping things tight for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Punjab Kings now need 33 off the final over.

PBKS 190/6 after 19 overs

IPL Live: FIFTY for Shashank Singh

FOUR & FIFTY for Shashank Singh off 22 balls.

A low full toss on middle and Shashank makes no mistake, shuffling across and whipping it powerfully wide of long-on. It races away to the fence after bouncing once, and in the process he brings up a superb 22-ball half-century.

A brilliant counterattacking knock keeping Punjab Kings firmly in the hunt.

PBKS 176/6 in 17.4 overs, need 47 off 14 balls

IPL Live Score: OUT! Hazlewood removes Stoinis

BIG WICKET! Josh Hazlewood strikes to dismiss Marcus Stoinis (37)

LBW! Hazlewood gets the big wicket of Stoinis — and he reviews straight away. It was a juicy full toss, but Stoinis missed it completely while attempting the shot. Struck on the flap of the pad, with UltraEdge showing no bat involved. Ball-tracking confirms it was clipping the leg stump, and the on-field call stays.

Punjab Kings lose their review and, more importantly, Stoinis.

The Australian walks back visibly frustrated — a delivery he would have expected to put away, but instead he has played all around it at a crucial stage.

Marcus Stoinis scored 37 off 25 balls - [4s-5]

PBKS 160/6 in 16.1 overs

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Punjab still in the race

14 runs came off the over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar as Shashank Singh (42) and Marcus Stoinis (37) continued their blazing stand. The duo have now added a rapid 67 off just 31 balls, keeping Punjab Kings firmly in the hunt despite the mounting pressure.

Punjab Kings 160/5 after 16 overs — need 63 from 24 balls

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: Good one for Punjab

Strong finish to the over for Punjab. Marcus Stoinis (32 off 21) finished Rasikh Salam Dar’s over with back-to-back boundaries, taking 12 from it. Punjab Kings stay alive in the chase as Stoinis and Shashank Singh brought up a crucial fifty partnership.

Punjab Kings 146/5 after 15 overs — need 77 from 30 balls

IPL Live: Three sixes off Suyash over

20-run over for Punjab. Shashank Singh (21* off 8) swung momentum briefly with three sixes off Suyash Sharma, taking 20 from the over. A much-needed release for Punjab Kings as the asking rate had begun climbing sharply.

Punjab Kings 123/5 after 13 overs | Target 223

IPL Live Score: OUT! Shedge falls, Punjab five down

Big Wicket! Suyash Sharma strikes to dismiss Suryansh Shedge (35)

Wicket against the run of play — Suyash Sharma strikes. It was a short and wide delivery that deserved punishment, but Suryansh Shedge couldn’t make the most of it. Reaching out, he tried to flat-bat it over cover, but lost control and ended up hitting it much straighter than intended. Virat Kohli was stationed at long-off and completed a simple catch. Punjab Kings are slipping away quickly now.

Suryansh Shedge scored 35 off 22 balls) - [4s-2, 6s-2]

PBKS 93/5 in 10.5 overs | Target 223

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Shedge keeps PBKS in hunt

Suryansh Shedge (29 off 16) is keeping Punjab Kings in the contest with a lively counterattack despite the steady fall of wickets. But the asking rate remains steep, and Punjab still have plenty to do in this daunting chase.

Punjab Kings 80/4 after 9 overs — need 143 from 66 balls

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Shepherd removes Connolly

Big Wicket! Romario Shepherd strikes in his frist over too, dismisses Cooper Connolly (37)

Taken in the deep. Romario Shepherd strikes. Cooper Connolly, who looked set to keep Punjab Kings in the chase, departs at a crucial moment.

It was full and angling into the pads, and Connolly flicked it aerially towards backward square leg but failed to get enough distance. Jacob Bethell judged it well near the ropes and completed a sharp catch.

Punjab now staring at a steep climb.

Cooper Connolly departed after scoring 37 off 22 balls - [4s-3, 6s-3]

PBKS 62/4 in 7.3 overs

IPL Live: Connolly, Shedge steady Punjab chase

End of the powerplay, and Punjab Kings have responded with two strong overs.

Cooper Connolly (27) and Suryansh Shedge (16) added 26 runs across the last two overs, taking on Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar after the early setbacks.

Punjab Kings 49/3 after 6 overs | Target 223

IPL Live Score: OUT! Shreyas falls for 1

OUT! Rasikh Dar strikes in his first over, dismisses Shreyas Iyer (1)

Impact sub strikes immediately — Punjab unraveling. Rasikh Salam Dar makes an instant impact, removing Shreyas Iyer with his very first over. It was an excellent delivery — back of a length in the corridor, straightening late and climbing a touch. Iyer stayed rooted in the crease and could only get a faint edge through to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.

A massive blow for Punjab Kings, now in serious trouble early in the chase.

PBKS 19/3 in 3.2 overs

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Bhuvi strikes again

Punjab in big trouble! Bhuvneshwear Kumar strikes again, dismisses Prabhsimran Singh (2)

Another one for Bhuvneshwar — Punjab in early trouble. He got the ball to climb from a back-of-a-length and shape away outside off. Prabhsimran Singh threw his hands at the cut away from the body and only managed a thick edge. Devdutt Padikkal reacted sharply at first slip, taking a fine two-handed catch.

Excellent bowling from Bhuvneshwar, who strikes twice in the opening overs.

PBKS 18/2 in 2.5 overs

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: Most wickets in an IPL edition after turning 35

26 - Imran Tahir in 2019
23 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2026
22 - Ashish Nehra in 2015
22 - Trent Boult in 2025
21 - Anil Kumble in 2009

IPL Live: OUT! Bhuvneshwar strikes in first over

Early breakthrough! Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes early, dismisses Priyansh Arya (0)

Early breakthrough for RCB — Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes in the first over. He hit a back-of-a-length area outside off, and Priyansh Arya tried to loft it over mid-on. But the timing wasn’t there — it came off the toe-end and went straight to Romario Shepherd, who made no mistake.

An early setback for Punjab Kings in a must-win chase, and Bhuvneshwar delivers once again in the powerplay.

PBKS 1/1 in 0.3 overs | Target 223

IPL Live Score: STATS after first innings in Dharamsala

Most 200-plus totals recorded in Men’s T20 cricket
50 - India
44 - RCB
43 - CSK
41 - PBKS
40 - Somerset

Most 200-plus totals conceded in Men’s T20 cricket
46 - PBKS
40 - RCB
35 - DC
34 - RR
34 - SRH
33 - Middlesex

Most 200-plus totals conceded under a captain (Men’s T20s)
31 - Shreyas Iyer
29 - Faf du Plessis
28 - MS Dhoni
21 - Babar Azam
20 - Rishabh Pant

Most 50-plus stands for RCB in an IPL innings
3 vs PBKS, Bengaluru, 2010
3 vs KKR, Chennai, 2021
3 vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2024
3 vs CSK, Bengaluru, 2026
3 vs PBKS, Dharamsala, 2026

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru set Punjab Kings 223-run target

Another 200-plus total conceded by Punjab Kings, as their bowling struggles continue.

Punjab have chased well this season, winning three of their four 200-plus pursuits, so the contest is still very much alive — though 223 will demand something special.

Jacob Bethell fell early again, but Devdutt Padikkal’s brisk 45 ensured Royal Challengers Bengaluru stayed ahead through the powerplay. That gave Virat Kohli time to settle before accelerating to his 67th IPL fifty, anchoring the innings smartly in familiar style.

With Rajat Patidar absent, Venkatesh Iyer grabbed his opportunity at No. 4, finishing unbeaten on a fluent 73 off 40 balls. Tim David then provided the final surge with a rapid cameo that pushed RCB beyond 220.

Harpreet Brar stood out with two wickets, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the scoring. If Punjab manage to chase down 223, it will be their highest successful chase and could keep their playoff hopes alive in a must-win contest.

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: That's it! RCB 222/4 after 20 overs

OUT! Arshdeep Singh gets a wicket off the final delivery. It was a high full toss and Tim David went hard across the line, but miscued it completely off the bottom of the bat. The ball went straight to Harpreet Brar at deep backward square leg, who settled under it comfortably. David reviewed for a possible waist-high no-ball, but it was clearly dipping below the waist and the decision stayed. Tim David scored 28 off 12 balls.

RCB post 222/4 in Dharamsala

IPL Live: Most 200-plus totals in an IPL edition

53 in 2026
52 in 2025
41 in 2024
37 in 2023
18 in 2022

IPL Live Score: Most 200-plus totals conceded in a Men’s T20 competition

9 - PBKS in IPL 2026
8 - Southern Punjab - National T20 Cup 2020/21 (Pakistan)
7 - SRH in IPL 2024
7 - RR in IPL 2025
7 - LSG in IPL 2025
7 - PBKS in IPL 2025
7 - RR in IPL 2026

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Excellent 19th from Omarzai

Excellent over from Azmatullah Omarzai at a crucial stage, conceding just eight in the 19th. It was only four off the first five deliveries before Tim David cracked a boundary off the final ball to give Royal Challengers Bengaluru a late boost.

RCB 208/3 after 19 overs

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: It's raining boundaries in Dharamsala

13-run over for RCB. Tim David launched a six while Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with a boundary as Royal Challengers Bengaluru took 13 off Arshdeep Singh. The visitors have surged to 200 and, with two overs left plus seven wickets in hand, will eye a strong finish.

RCB 200/3 after 18 overs

IPL Live: RCB batters on a roll

This is the third time that three Indian batters have gone past 40 for RCB in an IPL innings.

The previous two came in 2025: vs MI at Wankhede (Kohli, Patidar, Jitesh); and vs LSG at Ekana (Kohli, M Agarwal, Jitesh).

IPL Live Score: FIFTY for Venkatesh Iyer

BOOM! Venkatesh Iyer brings up his fifty, off 29 balls, in style, smoking a six off Lockie Ferguson over deep mid-off. His first fifty of the season and 13th in IPL.

RCB 176/3 in 16.3 overs

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Batters involved in most 50-plus stands in Men’s T20s

210 - Alex Hales

210 - Virat Kohli

200 - David Warner

196 - Babar Azam

191 - Chris Gayle

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Chahal scalps Kohli

BIG WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal gets the prized wicket of Virat Kohli (58)

Taken in the deep — Yuzvendra Chahal gets the big one. Virat Kohli tried to whip the flighted delivery over the leg side, but couldn’t get the distance.

Chahal tossed it up nicely on middle and leg, Kohli stayed leg-side to work it through mid-wicket, but hit it flatter and squarer than intended. Priyansh Arya was waiting at deep mid-wicket and completed a safe catch. A timely strike for Punjab Kings after Kohli’s steady fifty.

Virat Kohli departed after scoring 58 of 37 balls - [4s-4, 6s-3]

RCB 157/3 after 15 overs

IPL Live: Successful spell for Brar

Venkatesh Iyer began the over with two consecutive boundaries, but Harpreet Brar recovered well to concede only four singles off the remaining deliveries. A productive outing for the spinner, who signs off with figures of 2 for 35.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 143/2 after 14 overs

IPL Live Score: FIFTY for Virat Kohli

A single off Shashank Singh brought up yet another milestone for Virat Kohli — his 67th IPL fifty. The RCB opener got there in just 31 balls, mixing control with intent, with three fours and three sixes in the innings. It is his fourth half-century of the season as he continues to anchor the innings in familiar fashion.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 120/2 after 12 overs

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Tidy one from Chahal!

Yuzvendra Chahal bounced back well after leaking 21 in his first over, conceding just seven in his second spell. Venkatesh Iyer spoiled what was shaping up to be an even tighter over by finding a boundary off the final ball.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 108/2 after 11 overs

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Brar removes Padikkal

MASSIVE WICKET! Harpreet Brar strikes again, dismisses Devdutt Padikkal (45)

Taken at cover — Brar strikes again. Harpreet Brar breaks the partnership with a clever change of pace. He dragged it short and outside off, taking enough pace off to force the mistake.

Devdutt Padikkal went on the back foot to cut but couldn’t get on top of the bounce, slicing it straight to Shreyas Iyer at cover. A timely wicket for Punjab Kings just as RCB were threatening to run away.

Devdutt Padikkal scored 45 off 25 balls, which included four fours and three sixes,

RCB 97/2 in 9.1 overs

IPL Live: Most runs vs an opponent in the IPL

1189* - Virat Kohli vs PBKS (Avg: 37.15)

1174 - Virat Kohli vs CSK (Avg: 37.87)

1172 - Virat Kohli vs DC (Avg: 48.83)

1161 - Rohit Sharma vs KKR (Avg: 40.03)

1134 - David Warner vs PBKS (Avg: 49.3)

1126 - Virat Kohli vs KKR (Avg: 45.04)

IPL Live Score: Kohli, Padikkal on fire

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have picked up the pace with 30 runs coming off the last two overs, as Virat Kohli (32) and Devdutt Padikkal (44) continue to find boundaries regularly. Yuzvendra Chahal endured a rough start, conceding 21 in his first over, with Padikkal smashing two sixes and Kohli adding a boundary. Shashank Singh slowed things slightly with a tidy 9-run over that followed.

RCB 91/1 after 8 overs

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: More Padikkal stats

Hitting his 1st ball for a six thrice in an IPL season:

* Shahrukh Khan (PBKS) in 2023

* Sunil Narine (KKR) in 2025

* Devdutt Padikkal (RCB) in 2026

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: Most 500-plus seasons in the IPL

9 - Virat Kohli

7 - David Warner

7 - KL Rahul

5 - Shikhar Dhawan

IPL Live: Kohli, Padikkal lead RCB charge

12 RUNS! Virat Kohli (24*) and Devdutt Padikkal (23*) keep the scoreboard ticking for RCB despite losing Jacob Bethell early in the third over. Both Kohli and Padikkal hit a four each off Arshdeep Singh to collect 12 runs from the final over of the Powerplay.

Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack after the powerplay.

RCB 61/1 after 6 overs

IPL Live Score: RCB’s No.3 hitting a first-ball six in an IPL innings

Devdull Padikkal off Jaydev Unadkat (SRH), Bengaluru, 2026
Devdull Padikkal off Kagiso Rabada (GT), Bengaluru, 2026
Devdull Padikkal off Harpreet Brar (PBKS) Dharamsala, 2026

WOW!!!

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: 500 runs in IPL 2026 for Virat Kohli

Another productive over for Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 13 runs from it. Virat Kohli welcomed Lockie Ferguson with a towering six over deep mid-wicket and, in the process, brought up 500 runs for the season. Two balls later, Devdutt Padikkal added to the momentum with a boundary through backward square leg.

RCB 40/1 after 4 overs.

PBKS vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026: OUT! Bethell gone

BIG WICKET! Harpreet Brar strikes early to dismiss Jacob Bethell

Bowled! First breakthrough for Punjab. Harpreet Brar gets the change of angle right from over the wicket and strikes immediately.

Jacob Bethell went back to cut, but the quicker delivery rushed onto him and he ended up dragging it back onto his stumps. Brar is fired up, Jacob Bethell gone for 11 (7) [4s-2].

RCB 21/1 in 2.2 overs

IPL Live: Virat smokes Omarzai for first maximum

13 RUNS! Virat Kohli smokes Azmatullah Omarzai over deep extra over for the first maximum of the match. Jacob Bethell then hit a four three balls later to make it a good one for RCB.

RCB 17/0 after 2 overs

IPL Live Score: Good start from Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh began with a tidy opening over, conceding just four singles. The Punjab Kings pacer also drew a couple of edges from Virat Kohli, an encouraging early sign for the hosts.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 4/0 after 1 over

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Here we go...

Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli are out in the middle to start the RCB innings. Arshdeep Singh with the new ball for PBKS in Dharamsala. Bethell on strike.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala without regular captain Rajat Patidar. In Patidar’s absence, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma led the side.

RCB are the defending IPL champions, having defeated Punjab Kings in the 2025 final to lift the title.

Jitesh walked out for the toss as stand-in captain as Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first.

IPL Live: PBKS vs RCB - Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Punjab Kings XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

IPL Live Score: Jitesh Sharma at the toss

Jitesh Sharma - "We would have loved to bowl first, but the wicket is good and should play well for 40 overs. Rajat is doing fantastic and we should see him in Hyderabad. Every game is important, this win can change a lot for us and other teams. Suyash replaces Rajat and Romario replaces Duffy."

RCB vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: TOSS TIME! Punjab opt to bowl

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer wins the toss, decides to field first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala.

"We're going to bowl. I'm not going by the stats, we're clearly seeing how the games pan out. if we bat and bowl well, the toss doesn't matter. I didn't know that it was my 100th game as captain, but I'll be happy if we win. We've been bowling fantastic,k but we need to enjoy the pressure. Brar and Lockie come in." - Shreyas Iyer after winning the toss​