Derided for not matching potential with performance in the past, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emphatically put those old ghosts to rest. Having won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title last year, RCB did one better this year, and retained the championship. A commanding display over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday ensured that RCB joined the likes of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians, teams that have won the title for two consecutive years. Ever since the league’s inception in 2008, the Bengaluru squad tended to flourish in spurts and then fade away. Three finals were made too prior to 2025, and in all those summit clashes, RCB choked. Last year, however, a turnaround was effected but as Rajat Patidar’s men exulted, the moment turned tragic with 11 fans losing their lives in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the latest edition, RCB maintained remarkable consistency and while Patidar marshalled his resources, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood chipped in. Fittingly, Patidar dedicated the triumph to the 11 fans who passed away. Meanwhile, Titans led by Shubman Gill, ran into a stronger outfit in the final and could not cash in on the advantage of playing at their home ground.

Having commenced on March 28, the IPL with 10 teams and 74 matches, had a bloated air and at times viewer interest dipped. The cricket, though, was from the top-drawer of T20 cricket as batters muscled sixes. The leading star was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who belied his 15 summers. The Rajasthan Royals’ player is one for the future and there is talk of the selectors fast-tracking him into the national squad. Just as Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut at 16, Sooryavanshi too seems set to join that space of young talent pursuing higher glory. For now, a spot in T20I beckons even as the youngster is keen to play Tests too. Just as RCB, Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals made it to the play-offs, legacy units such as CSK, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders fell by the wayside. A churn is on the cards and Rishabh Pant has already relinquished his captaincy with the Lucknow Super Giants. India, the reigning T20 champion, has enough talent as was evident through the IPL. The club against country debate too stirred up as England speedster Jofra Archer’s IPL contract overlapped with the one that he has with The England and Wales Cricket Board. The IPL is a massive sporting brand but it should not cannibalise traditional cricket.

Andy Flower’s reign as Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach did not begin well. The team lost seven of its first eight matches in IPL 2024 before making a turnaround to enter the playoffs. 

The tough phase gave Flower useful insight into what ails RCB. Over the course of the next two years, Flower and his staff have used these learnings to mould RCB into a formidable presence.

“The very tough first half of 2024 gave us real clarity about certain strategic things that we wanted to employ. It gave us the courage, almost through desperation, to take those measures. Then we had 2025, where we were walking into the unknown, as RCB had never won the title before. There was a lot of tension and uncertainty around getting into the playoffs,” Flower said in a virtual media interaction on Monday (June 1, 2026). 

This year’s triumphant campaign, in contrast, was marked by quiet confidence, Flower stated. “This year, there was a deeper level of confidence. Going into the playoffs, this reflected in some of our performances,” Flower said. 

The 58-year-old was all praise for Virat Kohli, who has set a high bar for his teammates to follow. “Virat’s hunger and drive are genuinely inspiring. He sets certain standards, like intensity in the field. Anyone falling below is going to stand out like a sore thumb. Everyone has to raise their game to get anywhere near it,” he said.

“The same goes for his batting mastery. He works hard at his game, but you can see that he loves batting. He loves hitting the ball. He loves the feeling of the ball meeting the middle of the bat. Again, those standards are easy for people in our training sessions to see,” Flower said. 

The evidence from the three IPL matches played in Dharamsala this season suggests that it has evolved into a high-scoring venue where fast bowlers still remain relevant, a combination that could shape Tuesday’s (May 26, 2026) Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.

The numbers tell the story clearly. Across the three completed matches at the HPCA Stadium this season, every first-innings total has either touched or crossed 200.

So while Dharamsala continues to offer seam movement and bounce, the old perception of it being a purely bowler-friendly venue no longer fully applies. The true carry has created conditions where batters can dominate once they survive the opening overs.

What remains unique, however, is how the ball behaves early in the innings.

At roughly 1,450 metres above sea level, Dharamsala remains one of the few Indian grounds where fast bowlers consistently get conventional swing alongside steep carry. The cooler, thin mountain air helps seamers hit hard lengths effectively, especially with the new ball.

But unlike venues where assistance for pacers translates into low totals, Dharamsala’s quick outfield and even bounce allows batters to recover rapidly after the initial movement. That pattern has repeated itself in all three matches this season: wickets and play-and-miss chances in the powerplay followed by heavy scoring once the ball softened.

The tactical battle in Qualifier 1 may therefore depend on which side maximises the first six overs with the ball.

On current evidence, RCB appear to hold a slight edge in those conditions.

Their pace attack, led by Bhuvneswar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, is built more around control, swing and hard-length execution. These are attributes that have historically worked in Dharamsala. Bowlers capable of moving the ball under lights and varying pace intelligently at the death have enjoyed success here even in high-scoring games.

Against Punjab Kings, RCB could defend 222 because their seamers kept striking during the chase.

GT’s attack, meanwhile, arguably possesses greater raw pace, which the extra carry in Dharamsala could amplify. But one factor that may reduce their usual advantage is the limited role of spin at this venue. Rashid Khan is usually effective but this pitch will test him.

Statistical trends from recent matchesin Dharamshala show pacers accounting for the overwhelming majority of wickets, with teams rarely turning extensively to spin in decisive phases.

Another significant trend is toss dominance.

Chasing sides have won two of the three matches this season, largely because batting becomes easier once the ball loses shine and dew settles in. That could make bowling first the preferred option again on Tuesday night.

Overall, Qualifier 1 is unlikely to be a traditional “bowler’s match” despite Dharamsala’s reputation. The surface now rewards aggressive batting far more than before, but it still offers enough early movement to keep fast bowlers central to the contest.

In that regard, RCB’s more rounded seam attack may give them a marginal advantage over GT in exploiting the venue’s most decisive phase: the powerplay.

Quietly steering clear of the turbulence and distractions surrounding the league, defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first side to secure a playoff berth.

Despite the team’s impressive run, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat dismissed suggestions that the franchise had somehow “cracked the code” of the tournament, sticking to the ‘taking-it-one-day-at-a-time’ cliche.

The Englishman, however, lavished praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returns to the venue he called home for 11 seasons.

“He knows this surface and ground well, so we’ve been picking his brains a little bit over the last few days just to understand things.

“And as always, he’s trying to help everyone around him. He has a calming influence on the whole team. We get huge value out of him,” he said.

Bobat also felt that Bhuvneshwar has unlocked another gear this season.

“Everybody knows his skills, he swings the ball both ways, he’s got incredible control and accuracy. I think he’s gone up a level this year even compared to last year. He’s a very calm and composed figure at the death, a bit like Josh Hazelwood and Rasikh Salam Dar have been.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad may have turned a corner with its bowling, but Bobat reiterated that they remain stronger with the willow.

“They’ve got a reputation, and rightly so, as a dangerous batting unit. I really enjoy the way they go about their batting, it kind of aligns with how I like teams to play, so it’s always fun watching them play. They’ve got some high-calibre players”.

Nearly two months ago, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad kicked off this IPL season carrying expectation and different kinds of pressure. RCB arrived as the defending champion while SRH sought to turn promise into authority.

The sides meet again on Friday (May 22, 2026) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, this time in the business end of the tournament. Royal Challengers, moving with ruthless efficiency, are close to sealing top spot, with Sunrisers hoping to break into the top two.

SRH will challenge the visitor with a vastly different bowling attack from their previous meeting, when Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel led the unit in captain Pat Cummins’ absence. Eshan Malinga has emerged as Sunrisers’ talisman with 17 wickets, while Sakib Hussain (14) and Praful Hinge (11) have offered strong support.

Since returning to action, Cummins has added pace and intensity to the bowling pack, taking eight wickets in six appearances. This will be SRH’s first line of attack against a team that hardly appears to be vulnerable.

RCB, too, boasts a formidable bowling unit led by former SRH medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has claimed 24 wickets in 13 matches. He has been ably backed by Josh Hazlewood (12), Rasikh Salam (12), and Krunal Pandya (10).

With the bat, Virat Kohli has led the charge with 542 runs in 13 matches. Devdutt Padikkal (412) and skipper Rajat Patidar (337) have also played key roles, with Tim David and Romario Shepherd providing firepower down the order.

For SRH, the openers’ contributions remain crucial, but Heinrich Klaasen has been the standout batter with 555 runs in 13 games. Abhishek Sharma (507) and Ishan Kishan (490) have been influential, while Travis Head (367), despite having a quieter season, remains capable of turning a match on its head.

If the first fixture set the tone for IPL 2026, this clash could deliver the perfect crescendo before the playoffs.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ head coach Abhishek Nayar said he reckoned the team’s total of 192 for four against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL 2026 clash in Raipur on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) was par for the course, despite the eventual result.

Riding on Virat Kohli’s first century of the season, RCB never looked in trouble and managed to chase the target down in the final over, in spite of a few late wickets.

“The pitch was good through and through. Anytime there is a bit of rain, you expect the ball to swing and seam. But I still felt we got enough runs on the board, because midway, when we had that discussion, we felt anywhere between 180 and 200 would be a good score,” Nayar said.

The former Mumbai cricketer said it was unfortunate that the team could not hold onto the chances they created against in-form players like Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, which allowed the game to slip away.

This was KKR’s first loss after a run of four consecutive wins, which helped it maintain a slender chance to qualify for the playoffs. Nayar said the key to the squad’s improvement was to maintain a secure environment throughout the tournament.

“From the start of the season, one thing we decided was to be consistent in how we approach our processes. Making sure the environment is good is one of the hardest things to do in the IPL with all the noise and pressure. We wanted to curate an environment where the players felt safe, where they could go out and play regardless of the outcome,” he said.

Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli says he is not immune to the anxiety that comes with performance pressure, admitting that consecutive ducks in the last couple of IPL matches had left him a bit nervous.

The 37-year-old roared back to form on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) night with an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls as his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets to climb to the top of the IPL table.

It was a record-extending ninth IPL hundred for Kohli as he went past Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to become the player with most appearances (279) in the tournament. It was also his first IPL century since the 2024 season.

“The fact that I didn’t get many runs in the last two games was, it eats me up in a way that I know I can play well and I’m hitting the ball well,” Kohli told the broadcaster after he was adjudged the Player of the Match.

“But then, when you don’t carry on and you know (that) you haven’t created the impact for the team, it bothers you because that’s basically been the goal all these years… trying to improve so that you can be the best version for your team when you play out there and make an impact,” he added.

Kohli admitted that he was a bit uneasy after being dismissed for ducks in the previous two outings, but also asserted that failures like these also play a role in a player’s growth.

“The celebration (after completing the century) was not a big one because we know the importance of the points. It is a conscious effort to contribute more to the team,” Kohli said.

“There is a reason people say pressure is a privilege — it keeps you humble. Good pressure always helps you improve your game. A couple of games that do not go your way, you feel a bit of nervousness and that helps you.

“It takes a lot of effort, but it helps your game go up. Those failures are so important because that puts you in a place to get back (to where you have been and do what has got you there),” he added.

The former India captain also said that he did not try anything extravagant and backed his natural game by picking the right lengths and finding the gaps consistently.

“… just (focused on) my positions at the crease, not doing anything extravagant and backing my game. Picking length, hitting the gaps (that) I can hit. (I am) happy I was able to back my game,” said Kohli.

On extending his record tally of IPL centuries to nine, Kohli said he would continue to challenge himself while competing at the highest level.

“I just love batting…What an honour (it is) to be competing at this level and against the very best still. (I) just give my heart and soul out there because it is going to finish one day,” Kohli stated, reiterating his love for the game.

“(I) want to make the most of it, and look forward to pressure situations, where I am feeling a bit of heat and then I challenge myself to just go for it.”

He also stressed on the power of sport in building individual character.

“Even after all these years, it is the love for the game. I just love hitting the ball in the middle of the bat. That joy is still there and it is all God’s grace, and I am thankful and grateful,” he added.

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, meanwhile, said he was pleased that the defending champions had moved to the top of the table with 16 points, displacing Gujarat Titans.

“It feels great. You play well in the tournament and everyone came in the different stage and doing their job for the team. We are taking it one game and one step at a time,” Patidar said.

“Very satisfied (with the win). After 10 overs, the way we controlled their innings…to restrict them (to 192 after their start) is a good sign for us,” he added.

It has been 16 years since Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been running in to deliver the ball with that aesthetically pleasing action in the IPL. Yes, the wrinkles are more marked now, and the body is demanding more delicate attention. But the effectiveness has barely diminished.

The 36-year-old gave another glimpse of his otherworldly accuracy and ability to extract the maximum out of a surface with a four-wicket haul in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s riveting win over Mumbai Indians here on Sunday.

While most athletes credit a dream or an incentive as their driving force, Bhuvneshwar is slightly different.

“Motivation is a very overrated word for me. What keeps me going is discipline. It maybe cliche, but it is wanting to go when you are tired; that consistency and hunger that translates to the field as well.

“I don’t think my skills have changed since I debuted. The mental aspect — accepting that the batters play differently from 10 years ago and are going to come hard at you — is helping me stay relevant,” he elucidated during a conversation with select media on Monday.

The Uttar Pradesh quick has already picked up 21 wickets for the defending champion this edition, his highest season tally since 2017. But what really stands out is the economy rate he is operating at. Despite records for the loftiest totals and the highest chases tumbling, Bhuvneshwar has maintained an economy of just 7.46.

“When you take wickets regularly, you force the batter to take an extra couple of balls at the crease. I am not doing anything different. But the wickets column gives you confidence that you will execute better. I am still trying to keep things simple. The ball is coming out of the hand nicely. It’s swinging. It’s getting edges. Everything is falling into place,” he added.

Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Prince Yadav said that his team was “just thinking match by match” after it stayed alive in IPL 2026 with a thrilling victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday (May 7).

Prince said that while he was happy to dismiss Virat Kohli for nought, the team’s victory was sweeter. “If I had taken the wicket but we had lost, I wouldn’t be as happy, so the best thing is that the team won,” the 24-year-old said.

Prince also expressed his appreciation for the mentorship of Mohammed Shami. “I’ve got to learn a lot with the new ball from Shami bhaiyya, but the thing I appreciate the most about him is that when you are bowling, he’ll stand at mid-off or mid-on to help,” Prince said. “When an experienced player is with you like that, you become more confident.”

Prince’s display also earned him plaudits from opposing skipper Rajat Patidar, who described his spell as “game-changing”.

“I’ve played quite a few domestic matches against Prince, when he played for Delhi,” Patidar said. “He has plenty of variations, he has pace, his line and length is good, and he can swing the ball, he’s a proper fast bowler.”

Patidar also credited LSG opener Mitchell Marsh for his blistering century, but said that he was happy with his team’s performance, saying, “With the way they started, I’m mostly satisfied with the way we bowled and controlled the game. We were just two shots behind in the end”.