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Royal Challengers Bengaluru held their nerve and survived a late onslaught to edge out Punjab Kings by 23 runs to become the first team to secure an IPL Playoffs berth with an all-round performance here on Sunday.
Venkatesh Iyer blasted a spectacular 40-ball 73 not out and powered RCB to 222-4. Virat Kohli (58 off 37 balls), Devdutt Padikkal (45 off 25 balls), and Tim David (28 off 12) were the other significant contributors for RCB after they were asked to bat first.
In reply, PBKS were stopped at 199-8 after Shashank Singh’s valiant 56 off 27 balls, the home team suffering its sixth consecutive defeat after a great start to the season.
Virat Kohli en route his 37-ball 58 on Sunday
In a daunting chase of 223, PBKS endured a nervy start as RCB’s pace attack kept the batters under pressure in the first 10 overs.
PBKS were jolted early when veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Priyansh Arya (0) in the opening over, forcing the hosts on to the back foot immediately.
Venkatesh said the innings was especially satisfying because it came after limited opportunities this season. “Technically, it’s my second game as part of the playing XI and today’s the first time I properly got to bat. So that’s the more pleasing thing than getting a Man of the Match,” he said.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated or didn’t want to play. I was really wanting to go out there and play because for players like us, it’s the opportunity to play in the IPL. We want to play and do well.
“But I do understand, I’ve been here long enough to understand that this is a champion team and to tinker with the combination is not always right. But I always tried to create an impact on the coaching staff to make me play and I will deliver. I’m really happy that I got my opportunity,” he added.
73*
No. of runs scored by Venkatesh Iyer on Sunday — his highest score in IPL since 2024
Nine
No. of times Virat Kohli has scored 500-plus in an IPL season — most by any player
1217
Total runs scored by Kohli against Punjab Kings — most by a player against a single opponent in IPL
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