Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a stunning, last-ball finish to edge out Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a high-pressure IPL 2026 contest in New Delhi. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the defining figure, first delivering a match-changing spell with four wickets and then stepping up in the final overs with a decisive six that swung the chase. With nine runs required from the last three deliveries, Bhuvneshwar lofted Raj Angad Bawa over point for six, turning the game firmly in Bengaluru’s favour and sealing a memorable victory.
Key takeaways
- RCB won by two wickets in a last-ball thriller against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar took four wickets and then struck a crucial six during the final phase of the chase.
- With nine runs needed off the final three balls, the six over point off Raj Angad Bawa shifted momentum completely.
- Krunal Pandya contributed a determined innings of 73 off 46 balls on a challenging pitch.
- Rajat Patidar credited both Bhuvneshwar’s control and Krunal’s impact, while the win lifted RCB to the top of the standings.
Bhuvneshwar’s late heroics in the chase
RCB were made to chase under intense pressure, needing nine runs from the final three balls when the moment arrived. Bhuvneshwar picked the exact opportunity to change the complexion of the game, depositing Raj Angad Bawa over the point boundary for six. It was an especially rare strike for the bowler—his previous IPL six had come in 2016 when he played against Rising Pune Supergiants—making this final-overs breakthrough even more significant.
After being awarded Player of the Match, Bhuvneshwar reflected on how that boundary mattered to him personally. He said the six meant more than the wickets, explaining that while he had bowled and taken wickets in the past, the one thing he enjoyed the most was hitting for maximum impact.
What he says drives him—and how others praised the impact
At 36 years old, Bhuvneshwar also spoke about the mindset behind his ability to perform consistently. He dismissed “motivation” as an overused term and instead pointed to discipline as the key factor that keeps him going. He also acknowledged the support of his personal trainers and physios for helping him stay in shape and maintain his fitness levels.
Krunal Pandya backed up the bowling turnaround with a determined batting effort, scoring 73 off 46 balls on a difficult surface. His innings played a major role in keeping RCB on course during the chase, setting up the late surge that ultimately delivered the win.
Rajat Patidar, the RCB captain, praised the match-winners after the game. He singled out Krunal Pandya as the player who “has done it for the team,” highlighting the importance of his innings. Patidar also paid tribute to Bhuvneshwar’s bowling, saying the way the pacer controlled the ball made him extremely hard to face.
Table impact
With the result, RCB moved to the top of the IPL standings. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, remained close to the lower end of the table, leaving the night as a crucial statement win for Bengaluru.
