Dharamsala’s high-altitude scenic beauty set the stage for a high-stakes thriller. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) horns locked with Punjab Kings (PBKS) In his 61st match IPL 2026 on sunday. With playoff spots on the line, the evening promised high drama, and it delivered in spades. While the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium provided a stunning backdrop, the real fireworks came on the field courtesy of RCB’s thunderous batting display that left the opposition scrambling for answers.
Venkatesh Iyer pulls off the iconic Vijay celebration after his fifty against PBKS
With permanent support Rajat Patidar sidelined due to injury, Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed someone to step up and lock down the middle order. Venkatesh Iyer he did exactly that, batting at number 4 and delivering an absolute masterclass in aggressive T20 batting. The left-hander looked in terrific form right from the start, completely dominating the Punjab Kings bowling attack. He smashed an unbeaten 73 with a brilliant knock studded with just 40 deliveries, eight boundaries and four powerful sixes, taking RCB’s total well past the 220-run mark.
However, it wasn’t just his explosive batting that stole the headlines. After reaching his 29-ball half-century, Venkatesh celebrated the milestone by repeating the famous pose symbolized by Thalapathy Vijay in the blockbuster film Mersal. The tribute to the Tamil Nadu chief minister and the star actor immediately sent shock waves on social media. Video clips of the gesture went viral within minutes, with fans praising the cricketer’s skill and pointing out uncanny similarities with the actor’s screen presence. Iyer’s strike eventually earned him the Man of the Match award.
We present the video:
Taking the opportunity in style 👌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/3u5qL0Zn75#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #PBKSvRCB | @venkateshyer pic.twitter.com/VMHmF39cr5
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 17, 2026
RCB entered the IPL 2026 Playoffs after a dominant win over PBKS
Iyer’s brilliance and beauty has been ruled since half a century Virat Kohli (58 from 37 balls), along with an important cameo Devdutt Padikkal (45 off 25 balls), RCB posted a mammoth total of 222/4 in the allotted 20 balls. Harpreet Brar He was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab, claiming two wickets for 35 runs, but the rest of the attack went under the Bengaluru attack.
Chasing a daunting target of 223, Punjab Kings’ top order collapsed under early pressure. Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck gold on the first one, fired Priyansh Arya for a duck and then removal Prabhsimran Singh for just 2 runs to complete. Hello Rasikh He dismantled the middle order with an exceptional spell, taking three crucial wickets for 36 runs.
Despite a thunderous counterattack Shashank Singhwho crushed a brave 56 off 27 balls, and useful contributions Cooper Connolly (37) and Marcus Stoinis (37), PBKS consistently lagged behind the required running speed. Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling restricted Punjab to 199/8 at the end of 20 overs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed their ticket to the IPL 2026 playoffs by securing a clinical 23-run victory, keeping their title dreams very much alive.
