The IPL 2026 served up another classic thriller, and this time, it was Royal Challengers Bengaluru who emerged victorious in a last-ball heart-stopper against Mumbai Indians. The match, held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, saw emotions run high as RCB snatched a dramatic win, sending them to the top of the points table and, more importantly, knocking MI out of playoff contention.
With just two runs needed off the final delivery, the RCB dugout was a bundle of nerves. But when Rasikh Salam Dar calmly collected the winning runs, the bench erupted. Virat Kohli was seen jumping in pure joy as teammates rushed onto the field for hugs. However, it wasn't just the victory that got people talking. All-rounder Tim David's celebration caught everyone's attention—and not for the usual high-fives or fist pumps. David was seen flashing his middle finger in the heat of the moment, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media, sparking plenty of buzz among fans.
This win was massive for RCB. With 7 wins and 4 losses in 11 matches, they now sit pretty on 14 points with a net run rate of +1.103. For Mumbai Indians, it was their eighth loss in 11 games, officially ending their hopes for a playoff spot this season. It's a tough blow for the five-time champions, but the focus now shifts to rebuilding.
Speaking after the match, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts on what lies ahead. "I would still back Punjab Kings. Sometimes, a couple of losses can actually help a team reset and avoid complacency. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have lost games they should have won, and that has been a recurring issue for them this season. Punjab will know how important this stage of the tournament is, and they won’t want self-doubt creeping in with another defeat. I still see Punjab Kings and RCB as my finalists for this season," Gavaskar said on JioStar.
As for Mumbai Indians, Gavaskar believes it's time to look to the future. "In T20 cricket, ups and downs are bound to happen. Once the season ends, that’s the right time to properly assess what went wrong. But for now, it may be the perfect opportunity to give younger players a chance and start building for the next campaign."
Whether you're celebrating RCB's rise or rethinking your MI merch, one thing's for sure—this IPL season is far from over, and the drama is only just beginning.