IPL 2026: Joy For RCB Despite Heavy Defeat, 1st Place Secured In Points Table; SRH Win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lost by 55 runs to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2026 clash in Hyderabad on Friday, but did enough to secure a top two finish and deny SRH. Opting to bat first, Ishan Kishan's 79, along with Abhishek Sharma's 22-ball 56 and Heinrich Klaasen's 24-ball 51 helped them post 255/4 in 20 overs. RCB needed to score just 166 to ensure a top two finish, and managed to do so thanks to a half-century by Rajat Patidar, and crucial knocks by Venkatesh Iyer (44) and Krunal Pandya (41*). The result means that RCB will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, while SRH await the confirmation of their opponent in the Eliminator.
