RCB slipped past the Mumbai Indians by just two wickets, sealing the outcome on the very last delivery on Sunday, in the latest cricket news. Five-time title holders now sit eliminated from IPL 2026 contention after that narrow loss. Targeting 167 under pressure, they navigated a difficult pitch with grit. Krunal Pandya struck 73 runs in 46 balls, steering them through rough patches.

Then Bhuvneshwar Kumar swung hard late, clearing the rope when it mattered most.

Bhuvneshwar sent the ball flying past cover for a massive six, cutting down the target to three off two when nine were still needed in the last three throws.

Victory slipped away on the very next pitch after that blow. Before those moments under pressure, he’d already made his mark by taking four wickets while allowing only twenty-three runs.

Krunal Pandya praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s match-turning six

Bhuvneshwar’s final push tilted things, Krunal said, calm on a tough surface where timing rarely came. His composure shaped the outcome when few managed rhythm.

“The shot Bhuvi played was the shot of the match,” Krunal said after the win.

“It was a wicket where you had to play proper cricketing shots. You had to grind and stay in good positions.”

Midway through his knock, the versatile player started struggling with intense muscle pain. Still moving well despite it, he stayed calm under pressure. Because of that steady hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore reached their target safely. His effort lifted them past rivals into first place on the IPL 2026 standings.

“I suffered a lot of cramps. It started from my calf, then went to the glutes and back. It was something new for me,” he said. “But what matters are the two points.

I enjoy tough situations and always prepare myself for them.”
Bhuvneshwar mentioned the six carried greater weight for him compared to his four-wicket performance.
“The six for sure,” he said with a smile. “I have bowled many times and taken wickets, but that six is ​​something I will enjoy the most.”

He talked about staying steady through the year. The seasoned fast bowler said doing things right every day matters more than feeling inspired now and then.

“Motivation is an overrated word for me. It lasts a few days. Discipline is what keeps me going,” Bhuvneshwar explained.

“My physios help me stay fit, and match practice throughout the year keeps me confident.”

Falling short early on, RCB’s skipper Rajat Patidar said the team turned a straightforward task into something much tougher. Still, they managed to pull through in the end.

“Our bowlers did a tremendous job restricting them to 166,” Patidar said. “But honestly, with our batting lineup, we should have chased this target much more comfortably.”

Batsmen didn’t quite reach far enough, thought Suryakumar Yadav, leading the Mumbai Indians for now. Still, he backed Raj Bawa, the youngster, even after that last over tipped things sideways.

“He had been practicing death bowling really well and almost pulled it off for us,” Suryakumar said. “But overall, I think we were 10-15 runs short.”