Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Standings IPL Points Table 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for the Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs after defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Match 61 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The victory lifted RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 18 points from 13 matches. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, suffered their sixth consecutive defeat and remained fourth with 13 points from 13 games.
Virat Kohli scored 58 runs, while Venkatesh Iyer smashed an unbeaten 73 off 40 balls to help RCB post 222 for 4 in 20 overs. In reply, PBKS managed 199 before falling short by 23 runs despite Shashank Singh’s fighting half-century.
RCB Become First Team To Qualify
RCB’s win confirmed their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs and strengthened their hopes of finishing in the top two. The Bengaluru-based franchise has now won nine matches this season and also owns the best net run rate in the tournament.
PBKS Still In Playoff Race
Despite the defeat, Punjab Kings remain in contention for a playoff spot. However, Shreyas Iyer’s side can now only finish with a maximum of 15 points and may need favourable results from other teams to qualify.
Mid-Table Battle Intensifies
Sunrisers Hyderabad are third with 14 points, while Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are tied on 12 points each.
Kolkata Knight Riders remain alive with 11 points from 12 matches, while Delhi Capitals are eighth with 10 points and face a must-win situation in their remaining fixtures.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants have already been eliminated from the playoff race.
IPL 2026 Updated Points Table After Match 61
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | NRR |
|---|
| 1 | RCB (Q) | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 18 | +1.065 |
| 2 | GT | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | +0.400 |
| 3 | SRH | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 14 | +0.331 |
| 4 | PBKS | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | +0.227 |
| 5 | RR | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.082 |
| 6 | CSK | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | +0.027 |
| 7 | KKR | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 11 | -0.038 |
| 8 | DC | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | -0.993 |
| 9 | MI (E) | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | -0.504 |
| 10 | LSG (E) | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | -0.701 |
