The Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered their sixth consecutive defeat in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) after losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday, May 17. The win guarantees the visitors a place in the playoffs with 18 points from 13 outings. 

Having been put into bat, the defending champions registered 222 on the board from their quota of 20 overs after half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer. The latter scored an unbeaten 73 off just 40 balls, with the former captain contributing 58 at the top of the innings. Tim David also provided RCBwith a great finish to their innings, hitting 28 off 12 balls, whilst striking at 233.33.

In reply, PBKS once again lost early wickets, with Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Sheyas Iyer heading back into the pavilion with just 19 runs on the board. The top and middle order failed to deliver once again, with Shashank Singh’s 56 being the only score of note for last year’s finalists. 

Key moments of the game: 1. Yuzvendra Chahal gets the better of Virat Kohli

Yuzvendra Chahal and Virat Kohli are two of the biggest legends in the history of the IPL, with one being the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and the other leading the run-scoring charts.

However, it was the spinner who had the last laugh, taking the big wicket of Kohli, with the right-handed batter scoring freely before that.

2. Venkatesh Iyer scores his maiden fifty for RCB

Venkatesh Iyer has waited for his chance for quite some time this season, and today he finally made the most of it. The left-handed batter scored an outstanding 73 not out off 40 balls, an innings comprising eight fours and four sixes.

He provided valuable runs towards the end, along with Tim David. 

3. Eat, sleep, take crucial wickets, repeat - Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is enjoying one of the best IPL seasons in his long career. The right-arm swing bowler once again showed his new ball prowess by taking the crucial wickets of both Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh within the first three overs of the game.