IPL 2026: RCB Clinches Thrilling Victory Off Final Ball, Eliminates Mumbai Indians From Playoffs Race

Raipur: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling two-wicket victory against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday. RCB successfully chased down a target of 167 runs at the Raipur stadium. RCB clinched the win on the very last ball of the match. Mumbai all-rounder Raj Angad Bawa failed to defend 15 runs in the final over. This was a 'do-or-die' match for MI. Five-time champions Mumbai have now been knocked out of the playoff race in IPL 2026. They have suffered their eighth defeat in 11 matches and currently sit at the ninth spot on the points table. RCB, having registered their seventh win in the same number of matches, has surged to the top of the standings.

What happened during the match?

RCB got off to a poor start while chasing the target. Star batsman Virat Kohli once again returned to the pavilion without scoring. Deepak Chahar dismissed Kohli in the very first over. Chahar struck again in the fourth over, trapping Devdutt Padikkal (12 runs off 11 balls). Captain Rajat Patidar (8 runs off 8 balls) also failed to make an impact with the bat; he was dismissed by Corbin Bosch in the sixth over. Jacob Bethell (27 runs off 27 balls) shared a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Krunal Pandya.

Bosch claimed Bethell's wicket in the 13th over. In the 16th over, Bosch sent Jitesh Sharma (18 runs off 12 balls) and Tim David (0) back to the pavilion on consecutive deliveries. Krunal played a magnificent innings of 73 runs off 46 balls, smashing four fours and five sixes. Krunal was dismissed in the 18th over. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (7 runs) and Rasikh Salam (3 runs) remained unbeaten. Earlier, after losing the toss, Mumbai had posted a total of 166 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Tilak Varma scored a half-century for MI. For RCB, Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a brilliant bowling performance. He claimed four crucial wickets in a four-over spell, conceding just 23 runs.

MI got off to a poor start. Ryan Rickelton (2 runs off 4 balls) fell victim to Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the very first over. In the third over, 'Bhuvi' dismissed both Rohit Sharma (22 runs off 10 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) on consecutive deliveries. With Mumbai reeling at 28 for the loss of three wickets, Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma took charge of the innings. The duo forged an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rasikh Salam Dar bowled Naman in the 13th over; he had scored 47 runs off 32 balls, an innings featuring five fours and two sixes. Will Jacks contributed 10 runs off 10 balls before being sent back to the pavilion by Romario Shepherd in the 16th over. MI lost their sixth wicket in the form of Tilak, who was bowled by Bhuvneshwar in the 18th over. Tilak played a knock of 57 runs off 42 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes. Raj Angad Bawa (16 runs off 14 balls) became Josh Hazlewood's victim in the 19th over.

How did Tilak Varma boost Mumbai?

Batting first after losing the toss, Mumbai Indians got off to a poor start. Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent Ryan Rickelton back to the pavilion for a mere 2 runs in the very first over of the innings. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma was dismissed after scoring 22 runs off 10 balls, aided by 2 fours and 2 sixes. Captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed without opening his account. With their innings in deep trouble at 28 for the loss of 3 wickets, Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma steadied the ship, forging a crucial 82-run partnership off 57 balls for the fourth wicket.

Facing 32 balls, Naman scored 47 runs, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma scored 57 runs off 42 balls. In his innings, Tilak struck 3 fours and 2 sixes. Will Jacks could only contribute 10 runs, while Raj Bawa was dismissed after scoring 16 runs off 14 balls. On the bowling front for RCB, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout performer, claiming 4 key wickets for just 23 runs in his 4 overs.

Did Krunal Pandya Play a Match-Winning Innings?

Chasing the target, RCB got off to a shaky start. Deepak Chahar dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck. Following this, Devdutt Padikkal was also dismissed after scoring 12 runs off 11 balls. Captain Rajat Patidar failed to make a significant impact with the bat and was dismissed after scoring 8 runs. Jacob Bethell failed to capitalize on a promising start and fell victim to Corbin Bosch after scoring 27 runs.

Jitesh Sharma was dismissed after scoring 18 runs off 12 balls, while Corbin Bosch sent Tim David back to the pavilion on his very first delivery, caught by Ryan Rickelton. Krunal Pandya batted magnificently from one end, playing a superb innings of 73 runs off 46 balls. In this innings, Krunal struck 4 fours and 5 sixes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar remained unbeaten on 7 runs off 2 balls, while Rasikh Salam scored an unbeaten 3 runs and returned to the pavilion after guiding the team to victory. In the bowling department, Corbin Bosch claimed 4 wickets for 26 runs for MI, while Deepak Chahar took 2 wickets.