Kohli and Venky Iyer opened for RCB vs SRH. Image Credits - AP
Despite losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their final league game, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) assured a top two finish on the IPL 2026 Points Table.
The Rajat Patidar-led defending champions were handed a target of 256 runs by the SRH, who posted 255/6 thanks to their gung-ho batting approach, even against Josh Hazlewood.
Although skipper Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer, and Krunal Pandya batted remarkably in SRH vs RCB match, RCB lost the game by 55 runs to close in their league phase. However, despite that, they were able to finish at the top of the table, assuring they get two chances to get to the IPL 2026 final.
How did RCB finish at first position despite losing to SRH?
RCB had a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.065 prior to the game against SRH, who had an NRR of +0.350. Despite losing the game by a hefty margin of 55 runs, Bengaluru's NRR only nosedived to +0.794 - still the best this season.
After getting a target of 256 runs, the defending champions had to score 166 runs to confirm a top two finish, and get past 171 runs to finish at the top of the IPL 2026 Points Table. They eventually ended their innings with 200/4.
Thus, they finished the league phase in first place with 18 points after 14 matches, just like SRH and the Gujarat Titans, but with a much superior NRR.
It is worth noting that it is the second time in IPL history that three teams have qualified with the same points. The last time it happened was in 2019 with CSK, MI and DC.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Leads SRH’s Huge IPL Record, Joins Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans
Andy Flower reveals RCB batters chose top finish over chase
While revealing the inside dressing room chatter after the first innings of SRH vs RCB, head coach Andy Flower made bold revelations. RCB’s topman revealed that the RCB batters decided whether they would hunt down the target of 256 runs and confirm a top-two finish by getting to 166 runs.
"We were in a position to keep pushing to chase down 255 but ultimately we got the job done and topped the league. It's quite a tricky situation when you've got these conflicting things, winning the game and ensuring we top the league," RCB head coach Andy Flower said in the post-match presser.
"We did discuss the various targets. So I think we needed 166 to confirm top two, 179 to confirm top of the league and obviously 255 to win the game. I thought Venky (Iyer) batted brilliantly up front to give us that impetus," the head coach added.
"And then we wanted the batsmen to get a feel of the game out there and make a decision about whether they wanted to take on the 255 or the 180."
Although RCB finished the league phase at the top, they took a safer approach rather than pushing for the target, which also drew criticism from fans.
Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a hope to hunt down target
As RCB ended on 200/4, the game slowed down when Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya were batting together in the middle overs. The two decided to play cautiously and avoid losing wickets in the chase.
However, when Venkatesh Iyer was batting, he gave the RCB fans a ray of hope. Opening the innings for the first time this season, the southpaw blasted a 19-ball 41 inside the powerplay.
Head coach Andy Flower also spoke about the batting all-rounder, who played a fine hand against PBKS, but has warmed the bench for most of the season.
"I've got a lot of respect for a man (Venky Iyer) that's played a lot of IPL cricket, played for India, and was sitting on the sidelines waiting for his chance. He's been in that dugout. He's had a big smile on his face all the time. He's practised hard every single practice session. He's worked hard. He's worked hard at his bowling, his fielding and his batting. And he's been exemplary, to be honest. So a lot of respect for him," Andy Flower mentioned.
Thanks to Iyer's exploits, RCB were ahead of where SRH were at one stage, but the momentum died out after his dismissal.
Nevertheless, RCB will take on GT in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday (May 26) at Dharamsala.
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