Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to the summit of the IPL 2026 points table on Wednesday, registering a commanding six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Raipur. The defending champions produced an emphatic chase to reverse the momentum from KKR’s recent run and set themselves up for a strong finish to the league phase.
Quick facts
- Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2026) in Raipur
- Result: RCB won by 6 wickets
- Chase: 193 target reached in 19.1 overs
- Top performer: Virat Kohli 105* off 60 balls
- RCB league position: 1st with 16 points and NRR +1.053
- KKR league position: 8th, with playoff hopes still alive by a narrow margin
Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an unbeaten 105 from 60 deliveries, delivering the kind of innings that changes games in a single session. RCB chased down 193 in 19.1 overs to collect their eighth victory of the campaign and reclaim first place as the business end of the season approaches.
On the standings, Bengaluru finished ahead of Gujarat Titans on points after both teams reached 16, with RCB’s net run rate proving decisive. The win pushed their NRR to +1.053, overtaking Gujarat’s +0.551 and moving them into the lead in the tight top tier.
For Kolkata Knight Riders, the loss kept them stranded in eighth position, though it did not extinguish their playoff chances. Their four-match winning streak came to an end against RCB, even as they had posted a challenging target that made the chase a serious test.
With this result shaping the mid-table picture, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings occupy the two remaining playoff spots. Hyderabad are placed with 14 points, while Punjab Kings follow with 13, leaving the race finely balanced around the qualification line.
Beyond those shifts, the rest of the table remains as it was after Match No. 57 of the 70-match league schedule. Chennai Super Kings sit fifth with 12 points, and they are ahead of Rajasthan Royals thanks to superior net run rate, with both franchises still holding three matches left.
Further down, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders remain mathematically in contention. DC have 10 points from 12 matches, while KKR have nine points from 11 games, ensuring both teams are still capable of pulling off a late surge.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are the only two sides already eliminated so far in IPL 2026.
IPL 2026 Points Table after RCB vs KKR
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 12 matches, 8 wins, 4 losses, NRR +1.053, Points 16
- Gujarat Titans: 12 matches, 8 wins, 4 losses, NRR +0.551, Points 16
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 12 matches, 7 wins, 5 losses, NRR +0.331, Points 14
- Punjab Kings: 11 matches, 6 wins, 4 losses, NRR +0.428, Points 13
- Chennai Super Kings: 11 matches, 6 wins, 5 losses, NRR +0.185, Points 12
- Rajasthan Royals: 11 matches, 6 wins, 5 losses, NRR +0.082, Points 12
- Delhi Capitals: 12 matches, 5 wins, 7 losses, NRR -0.993, Points 10
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 11 matches, 4 wins, 6 losses, NRR -0.198, Points 9
- Mumbai Indians (E): 11 matches, 3 wins, 8 losses, NRR -0.585, Points 6
- Lucknow Super Giants (E): 11 matches, 3 wins, 8 losses, NRR -0.907, Points 6
