Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, 54th Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryRCB vs MI, 54th Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary

Virat Kohli leapt in joy as the winning runs were scored, while the RCB camp mobbed Krunal Pandya, their saviour on the night. Rasikh Salam Dhar ran in with arms wide open to embrace Bhuvneshwar Kumar, as a frustrated Ryan Rickelton smashed the ball into the ground. Amid the emotions, Dinesh Karthik shared a smile with Rohit Sharma. That was a dramatic roller-coaster of emotions. Despite a couple of setbacks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have bounced back strongly to reclaim the top spot in the points table. This turned out to be one of the most thrilling contests of the season, with the result going right down to the final ball. Winning games like these brings a special kind of joy and RCB will savour this one deep into the night. Tomorrow, the Punjab Kings take on the Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala. Be sure to join us for the live coverage. Until then, this is Nikhil Jadhav signing off on behalf of Ramakrishnan MS, Sri Krishna AS and Venky.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Player of the Match: (What will you remember at the end of today?) That six for sure, because I've bowled many times. I've taken few wickets before as well. But yeah, six is the thing I've enjoyed the most. (How do you get inspired to come and deliver performances like these?) Honestly, motivation is very overrated word for me. You read some quote, you see some video and you get motivated for a few minutes and that fades away very quickly. But the thing which keeps me going is the discipline and with that, yes we have physios and trainer with the team, but I've got a physio and trainer back at home. They work hard with me as well. They help me to keep me in shape. So I think credit goes to them as well. (You're hitting that good length consistently?) I think everything depends on the wicket and the opposition as well. Like today if there was a bit in the wicket when you hit the length ball and yes there are wickets which are flat when you bowl length ball, nothing happens, then you try something different. It's all about you reading the conditions as quickly as possible. (What's your routine between two IPLs?) I think good thing is that throughout the year I'm getting enough match practice to be in touch and enough break to you know recharge myself, bring back the strength. So I think yes, I play UPT20, Mushtaq Ali and that's enough practice for me to be in touch and yes of course when IPL comes, there is different practice because the level is probably different in Mushtaq Ali and UPT20. So yes, when I come back in the IPL, we have a camp and I do whatever I need. (When the bowling is clicking) Probably the best feeling for me. But yes, when you do whatever you want to, you feel confident and yes, there's team management who leave everything on you. You can do whatever you want. So yes, you feel happy when you do whatever you want to do. (This was a special display) I mean, crucial two points for us. If we would have lost that one, I wouldn't lie we would be under pressure. But yes, we did well to get those points.

Rajat Patidar | RCB captain: (Can I check your pulse?) I think it's normal now, but it was a very tight match, overall I think, great game and especially KP (Krunal Pandya). I think he's the man who's done it for the team. (Whose decision was it that he bats at number five today?) I think it's our (team's) decision. I think we have discussed in team meetings and all. And we know, the way he played. He played earlier also number five. But yeah we wanted to give him an opportunity to go at number five and he has done pretty well. (Wonderful to have players who want to be in the middle in big moments) There's a lot of experience, you know. So that's why I think those players do it in the big stage and when the team is under pressure. (On Bhuvi) I think it's unbelievable, I would say. I think the way he (Bhuvneshwar) controlled over the ball, his control over the ball, I think is super. And it's been difficult on a wicket that was two paced and variable bounce. I think it's very difficult to play him. (Do you look at the points table?) Right now we are not bothered about the table because our mantra is to play on our strengths and play good cricket rather than looking on the table. (Thoughts on a 160-170 pitch like this?) I think bowlers have done a tremendous job there. Restricting them to 166, and that was, I would say, easily chaseable. But to be honest, I think we don't deserve to win this match because we have a skillful batting lineup. So no matter how the situation and the pitch condition is, we are capable enough to chase those targets easily.

Krunal Pandya (2/2): (On not running when during the mix up for the catch between Tilak and Naman) I mean, I felt like I can take on the spinner because I was batting well. I was set, so I thought that let me play those six balls and let me capitalize in those six balls. So that was the conversation. We have been chatting as a batting group that if you fancy a single bowler, just face all six balls. And that's what I wanted to do there. (I saw you hugging Kieron Pollard, who has been very close to you. How does that feel seeing familiar faces and having to compete against them?) Polly (Kieron Pollard) is my big brother, right? I mean, I had my best six years in MI. I remember with the Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard were the engine room. We won a lot of games with bat, ball and fielding. I still remember in 2021 when we were playing our last game, we hold three of us, we hold each other's hand and we felt like, okay this is the last time we'll be able to play together and yeah, it was obviously an emotional moment again, but I love Kieron Pollard. (Krunal's voice cracks as he gets emotional) I mean, he's a terrific human being, GOAT of this format, won so many trophies, so many games. And yeah, as they say, you're right, Polly always used to tell me that you can't keep a good man down.

Krunal Pandya (1/2): (How is your body?) I was cramping a lot. It started from my calf, went to glutes, went to my back, everywhere. I was cramping. I mean, not often I bat that long, right? (smiles) So it was something new for me. But yeah, I'm pretty happy. At the end of the day, what matters is those two points. (On the promotion today, his batting and not being able to finish the game) Yeah, obviously I love tough situations. As I've always prepared and I always look forward to tough situations whenever things are tough and today's situation was very ideal for me where things were against me and that gets me going. Obviously, I wanted to finish the game at the end of last two overs, but I was not able to do it. Glad that the shot that Bhuvi played was shot of the match in fact. (What was the conversation at the halfway mark?) I mean, yes, it was a wicket where you had to play cricketing shots. This was not where you can line up a bowler and hit. You had to get into a good position. There were values for playing good shots because wicket was slightly up and down. And this was that wicket where you had to apply and grind and play the knock. (How's the body) It's fine. Just a lot of cramps again, now onwards, I guess I'll take care of a lot of fluids and food and hopefully it will be better in the next game.

Suryakumar Yadav: (On Raj Bawa being given the last over) I think he's been practising that really well throughout the season and last year also and he was a completely different all-rounder when we saw him this year. So, going ahead with him with that one or two overs and also the last over taking that responsibility, almost pulled it off for us. (Assessment of the total) I think we were 10-15 runs short. That's what I felt. Wrong wickets at wrong timings. But the way Naman (Dhir) and Tilak (Varma) batted, I think it was beautiful on this wicket, showed a lot of character. I think they were completely batting on a different track. We're so very, very proud of him (them). (Mix up for the catch between Tilak and Naman Dhir) I think these are the things you practice a lot during the practice sessions with the fielding coach and the way Tilak responded again with that beautiful catch. I think that showed that he had, he had to do something special, did something special, but that's part of the game. We go back to the drawing board, try and work hard and come back and put the best foot forward. (Reflecting back on the season now that MI can't advance) I think we can just try and play this game because we love it. As I said, try and put our best foot forward, play the best game whenever we get an opportunity. Though we are not used to staying in such difficult positions (bottom of the table), hard pill to swallow, but then at the same time, there's a lot of learnings throughout the season. We can come back stronger next year as well. (On Corbin Bosch) Absolutely. I mean, the way he bowled in the last game, didn't bowl the quota of all his four overs, but the way he bowled today in starting from the power play and the way he ended, very, very proud of him. (Hands around the shoulder for Raj Bawa, he tried his best) Absolutely!

Most runs RCB chased in 20th over to win a IPL match
21 vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2012
15 vs DC, Dubai, 2021
15 vs MI, Raipur, 2026

Last nine MI-RCB games
RCB won
RCB won
RCB won
RCB won
MI won
MI won
RCB won
RCB won
RCB won*

This is RCB’s second win against MI on the last ball while chasing after their 2-wicket win in Chennai in 2021 (chasing 160).

23:44 Local Time, 18:14 GMT, 23:44 IST: What a match that was. Kept swinging like the pendulum of a clock and we have a winner in the form of RCB finally. Chasing a competitive total of 166, RCB got off to a poor start as Virat Kohli departed without troubling the scorers. His second consecutive duck of the season. Padikkal didn't survive long either as he was caught behind against Deepak Chahar. Corbin Bosch made an immediate impact by dismissing Rajat Patidar, however, Krunal Pandya walked out to bat, and played a counterattacking knock. Along with Bethell, Krunal stitched an important partnership as they kept the run chase alive. Once Bethell departed, RCB lost a few wickets in a cluster, but Krunal kept attacking. Despite struggling with cramps, he continued to get those important boundaries. The Mumbai Indians did well to keep Romario Shepherd quiet and prevent the power-hitter from cutting loose, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar turned the game on its head with a decisive blow, smashing Bawa for a six in the final over. A gritty innings from Krunal, battling cramps and rescuing the side after a top-order collapse, coupled with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s four-wicket haul and that crucial six at the death. Those were the match-defining moments. Stay around for the presentations..

SKY having a word with the bowler. Mid-wicket is inside the circle. RCB fans have their fingers crossed. Rasikh Dar to face the final ball of the match

SKY having a word with the bowler. Mid-wicket is inside the circle.

Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, THATS OUT!! Caught!!