Royal Challengers Bengaluru climbed to the top of the IPL 2026 table with a comfortable 5-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.
RCB chased down a modest target with ease, finishing the job with 29 balls to spare and boosting their net run rate to a league-best +1.503.
LSG had a tough outing with the bat, getting bowled out for just 146 in 20 overs, their lowest total of the season so far.
RCB bowlers dominated from the start, with Rasikh Salam Dar leading the charge. He picked up a superb 4 for 24 and broke the backbone of LSG’s middle order.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also played a key role, finishing with 3 for 27. He struck twice in two balls in the 19th over to shut the door on any late fightback.
There was a worrying moment for LSG when captain Rishabh Pant hurt his elbow early in the innings. He walked off after the fifth over, returned later, but could only score 1 before getting out.
All-rounder Krunal Pandya reached a big milestone during the match, picking up his 100th IPL wicket after dismissing Abdul Samad.
Chasing 147, RCB got a steady start with Virat Kohli playing as an Impact Substitute due to a slight ankle issue.
Kohli looked in control throughout his knock, scoring 49 off 34 balls with six fours and a six. His innings also helped him move to the top of the Orange Cap race with 228 runs in five matches, going past Heinrich Klaasen.
RCB did face a small hiccup when Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma fell in the same over, adding some late tension.
But Tim David and Romario Shepherd kept calm and finished the match unbeaten, scoring quick runs to seal the win.
With Pant off the field for most of the second innings, Nicholas Pooran stepped in as captain, while Mukul Choudhary handled wicketkeeping duties.
This win takes RCB to the top of the table, ahead of Rajasthan Royals, who also have 8 points but trail on net run rate.