royal challengers bangalore

IPL 2026 playoffs are set to be exciting. Gujarat Titans hold a statistical edge to win the title. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished first but history favors second-placed teams. Sunrisers Hyderabad face a tough Eliminator route. The final stages promise intense competition for the coveted IPL trophy.

From being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to returning as a mid-season replacement and eventually leading the franchise to its maiden IPL title, Rajat Patidar's journey has been one of persistence and patience. Built on calmness rather than flamboyance, the 32-year-old has grown into a composed leader who now stands two wins away from joining an elite list of IPL captains with back-to-back titles.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli should have moved past his heated exchange with Travis Head after the match. Jaffer emphasized Kohli's role as a global ambassador and stated that post-match interactions should remain respectful. He also suggested that RCB's heavy defeat could serve as a wake-up call before the playoffs.

Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to impress in the IPL, leading the wicket-takers' chart despite his international career winding down. At 36, he's embraced his role, focusing on fitness and adapting his bowling. His expertise, particularly in the Powerplay and death overs, makes him a vital asset, even as he mentors younger players.

Padikkal, who made his IPL debut for RCB in 2020, said observing Kohli closely played a major role in his early development as a batter.

Jacob Bethell's IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been cut short due to a finger injury, raising concerns for England's upcoming Test series against New Zealand. The young batter, who impressed in the Ashes, will return home for assessment, leaving his availability for the Lord's Test uncertain. England's medical team will monitor his recovery.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured a playoff spot in IPL 2026, driven by Virat Kohli's stellar performance. Despite his overall brilliance, Kohli's knockout stage record presents a potential concern for RCB as they aim for back-to-back titles, facing Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma once again melted hearts online after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the IPL 2026 final with a dominant win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala on Tuesday. Moments after RCB secured their place in the final, Virat was seen rushing towards the stands to embrace Anushka Sharma in a heartfelt hug.

Punjab Kings endured another bowling collapse, conceding 222 to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, setting unwanted T20 records. The team now holds the record for most 200-plus totals conceded in men's T20 cricket history, and captain Shreyas Iyer also set a new captaincy record for such instances. This latest defeat further jeopardizes their playoff hopes.

Placed ninth on the table with just six points after 10 matches, the Mumbai Indians only have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs.

Virat Kohli's first run against KKR sparked an animated celebration, a moment of immense relief after two consecutive ducks. This emotional display resonated widely, overshadowing his milestone of becoming the most-capped IPL player ever. Kohli's single, a significant personal victory, captured the attention of fans and social media alike, highlighting his passion on the field.

The milestone came during Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Virat Kohli achieved a significant IPL milestone, becoming the first player with 12 seasons of 400+ runs and the most capped player with 279 appearances. He silenced critics with a crucial ton against KKR, continuing his strong record against them. KKR posted 192/4, driven by Angkrish Raghuvanshi's career-best 71 and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 49.

Virat Kohli delivered a masterful performance, smashing his ninth IPL century to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a successful chase of 193 against Kolkata Knight Riders. This historic innings saw Kohli become the fastest player to 14,000 T20 runs and the first Indian with 10 T20 centuries, solidifying his legacy as a supreme chaser.

Shreyas Iyer's stellar IPL-2026 campaign, marked by consistent middle-order batting and composed chases, has positioned him for a potential return to the Indian T20I squad. Despite Punjab Kings' recent struggles, Iyer's individual performance, including five half-centuries, highlights his evolution as a reliable finisher and leader.

Virat Kohli is on the cusp of another IPL record, needing just 28 runs against Mumbai Indians to become the first batter to score 1,000 IPL runs against them. This achievement would mark the fifth team he has surpassed this milestone against in his illustrious IPL career.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar expressed his team's desire for umpires to review Jason Holder's catch that dismissed Rajat Patidar. Kumar felt the ball might have touched the ground, impacting the match's outcome. He also reflected on the bowling performance, acknowledging an off-day for Hazlewood but expressing satisfaction with the Powerplay bowling.

Virat Kohli's T20 batting transformation this IPL season is attributed to a key realisation: he's no longer indispensable. Sanjay Manjrekar notes Kohli now bats quicker, trusting teammates and abandoning the anchor role. This shift, boosting his strike rate significantly, has unlocked RCB's potential, proving modern T20 demands aggression over individual longevity.

Virat Kohli has reclaimed the Orange Cap lead with a match-winning 81, becoming the first player to achieve 800 fours and 300 sixes for a single franchise. His innings, coupled with a strong partnership, propelled RCB to second place. Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson are close contenders in the run-scoring charts.

Venkatesh Iyer, now with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a significant price drop, embraces a team-first approach despite limited game time. He understands the settled combination of the defending champions and credits the coaching staff for clarity on his role. Iyer remains mentally prepared, focusing on improving his red-ball bowling with the ambition of winning the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are hoping a recent break has revitalised their campaign ahead of their final home match. Director of Cricket Mo Bobat highlighted the importance of keeping the entire squad engaged, emphasising that no position in the league offers comfort.

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli visited Kelly Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan to seek blessings from Shri Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj, reportedly on Akshaya Tritiya. This spiritual visit follows recent online speculation surrounding Kohli's brief interaction with German influencer LizLaz, which the influencer described as overwhelming.

German model and vlogger LizLaz reacted to Virat Kohli's 'like' on her Instagram post, which went viral and drew comparisons to a past incident. She expressed sympathy for Kohli after he unliked the picture, stating she was grateful for the support. LizLaz also revealed her newfound admiration for cricket and Kohli, sparked by a visit to India last year.

Amidst IPL 2026 rumors of a rift, Krunal Pandya praised his brother Hardik Pandya as one of cricket's "best finishers." This heartfelt statement comes after Krunal's animated celebration of Hardik's wicket, which fueled online speculation. Krunal also expressed his ambition to represent India again, focusing on his performance.

Anushka Sharma captivated at Wankhede, blending sport and style effortlessly. Her relaxed yet polished ensemble, featuring a black top and white trousers, showcased her signature fuss-free fashion. Smart accessories and natural makeup completed the look, proving simplicity can be striking. Meanwhile, RCB secured a thrilling 18-run victory over MI.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are enjoying a strong home run at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, aiming for a third consecutive win against an inconsistent Lucknow Super Giants. The batting-friendly pitch is expected to favor both sides, setting the stage for another high-scoring encounter. Key battles will include LSG's Indian pacers against RCB's formidable batting lineup.

Cricket star Virat Kohli's recent 'like' on German model LizLaz's photo has gone viral, sparking social media buzz. Laz, surprised by the attention, expressed gratitude and admitted to being an RCB fan. This incident echoes a similar past event involving another influencer, prompting Kohli to issue a clarification about algorithmic errors.