Royal Challengers Bengaluru extended their winning momentum on Sunday, April 26, defeating Rajasthan Royals by six wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to cement their place in the top two of the IPL 2026 standings. Virat Kohli, who this week became only the second batter in IPL history to smash 300 sixes and the first to reach 800 fours, added another commanding knock of 72 off 48 balls to his record-breaking tally, anchoring the chase with characteristic poise.

Rajasthan Royals, put in to bat, posted a competitive 178 for 7, with Jos Buttler contributing 54 off 38 deliveries and Shimron Hetmyer providing late fireworks. However, RCB's bowling attack, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj — who has been in inspired form after his return against his former side — kept Rajasthan in check in the middle overs, conceding only 41 runs in the six-over powerplay response period.

Kohli opened alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who has been his trusted partner through this run of victories. Padikkal struck 48 off 33 balls before falling to Jofra Archer, but by then the platform had been firmly set. Kohli and Liam Livingstone finished the job in the 19th over, with RCB crossing the line at 182 for 4, their fourth win from five matches in this purple patch.

The victory lifted Bengaluru to second on the IPL 2026 points table with 14 points from nine games, behind only Mumbai Indians on net run rate. For Rajasthan, it was a fourth defeat in six outings, leaving their playoff hopes increasingly precarious with the tournament entering its final stretch. Captain Sanju Samson admitted post-match that their middle-order inconsistency had cost them the game.

Kohli, named Player of the Match, was characteristically measured in his assessment. 'The team is in a good place and I'm just happy to contribute,' he said at the post-match presentation. 'The Chinnaswamy crowd gave us incredible energy, and we fed off that.' With the Orange Cap firmly on his head and RCB's playoff qualification looking near-certain, Kohli's milestone-laden IPL 2026 campaign is on course to be remembered as one of his finest in the format.