RCB officially qualifies for IPL playoffs [Source: AFP]The PBKS Vs RCB IPL 2026 match turned out to be a riveting battle as the defending champions, RCB showed their class and thrashed the home team to become the first side to secure their IPL playoffs berth.Fifties from Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, and quality bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam ensured that RCB stay at the top of the table. This was Punjab Kings’ sixth straight loss, and the team finds itself in a tricky situation.RCB officially qualifies for IPL 2026 playoffsBefore the start of the RCB Vs PBKS IPL match, the reigning IPL champions had 16 points from 12 matches, and needed a solitary win to qualify for the playoffs. Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first on a lively Dharamsala wicket.Jacob Bethell was dismissed cheaply, but it was then followed by a stellar partnership between Devdutt Padikkal, and Virat Kohli. Kohli, broke multiple IPL records as he once again smacked a half-century and kept the scoreboard ticking.Once Padikkal departed for 45, Venkatesh Iyer, who replaced the injured Rajat Patidar, came to bat, and the southpaw lived up to his hype as he smashed 73* off 40 balls, and helped the team post a commanding 222/4.In reply, the Punjab Kings suffered three early jolts as Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Shreyas Iyer were sent back cheaply. Cooper Connolly and Suryansh Shedge stitched a small partnership, but RCB stopped the scoring rate by dismissing the duo.With the asking rate climbing to nearly 15, Shashank Singh unleashed himself with a barrage of sixes, and Stoinis joined the party soon as RCB dugout went in panic mode. Shashank smacked a 22-ball fifty, and kept PBKS alive in the contest with 40 required off the last 2. However, the RCB bowlers kept their nerves, and helped the side clinch the game.Also Read: RCB Issue Official Statement On Rajat Patidar's Future In IPL 2026RCB's journey in IPL 2026 so farRCB, the defending champions, started the IPL 2026 with a dominating win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. A target in excess of 200 was chased with utmost ease as the reigning IPL winners announced their arrival in style.It was followed by another one-sided domination over the Chennai Super Kings, as RCB won two in a row, and looked in ominous touch before Rajasthan Royals gave them a reality check. A Vaibhav Sooryavanshi special tormented the RCB bowlers as the franchise suffered its first defeat of the campaign in Guwahati.After a shock loss vs RR, the champions quickly bounced back by defeating the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede and LSG at home. However, they suffered a narrow defeat vs the Delhi Capitals at home.Once again, RCB went on a two-game winning streak by defeating the Gujarat Titans, and the Delhi Capitals. GT and LSG then gave RCB back-to-back losses before the franchise once again turned their fortunes by winning three in a row, and officially sealing their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs.RCB sit comfortably at top spot in points tableEven before the PBKS Vs RCB IPL 2026 match, RCB were top of the table with 16 points, and with yet another win, the defending champions have strengthened their position at the top with 18 points to qualify.The franchise will next play against SRH, and a win against them would take them to 20 points. However, even if they lose against the Orange Army, RCB would still sit at the top, considering that the side has a solid net run-rate.Currently, RCB have 18 points, 9 wins, and just 4 losses in 13 games.Also Read: Revealed: Why Is Ravindra Jadeja Not Playing In DC vs RR IPL 2026 Match Today?
