Krunal Pandya’s superlative 73 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/23 lead RCB to last-over win over MI Royal Challengers Bengaluru ( RCB ) and Mumbai Indians ( MI ) came to Raipur with contrasting ambitions in mind. The defending champions knew a win would take them closer to sealing a top-two spot. The latter needed a win to stay alive. And it was RCB who nudged past the five-time champions to go on top of the points table , eliminating them from the playoff qualification race. RCB have relied heavily on Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal for most of IPL 2026. But in Raipur on Sunday, both fell cheaply, as did captain Rajat Patidar, leaving them 39/3 in the sixth over. That was when Krunal Pandya was forced into a role he has not often had to play this season. The all-rounder had not had much time in the middle with the bat this season, but with RCB in early trouble, his experience suddenly became vital. Alongside Jacob Bethell, he began the recovery on a surface where strokeplay was not easy.…